Tampabay.com
AUGUST 07, 2008

Academics first

Don't look for major changes to Hillsborough's school calendar next year, regardless of who wins election in two contested seats.

All the candidates told a Westchase audience Wednesday that they would support a calendar driven by academics and not religion, no matter the heated debate that has emerged annually about the question of whether to have specific religious holidays off.

Kurdell
"No matter what your religion is, you have the opportunity to take
whatever days are necessary to celebrate your religion without
interrupting other classrooms," said incumbent Carol Kurdell, who did not waver in her support of a secular calendar throughout public battles. Kurdell faces a challenge from two incumbents.

To see what the others had to say, check out this post from our sister blog Bay Buzz here.

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About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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