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To save money for raises, school district implements spending freeze

 
Published April 13, 2016

Pasco County school principals and department heads got word last week of an immediate budget freeze through June 30.

The reason, chief finance officer Olga Swinson explained, is to keep as much money free as possible for employee pay.

"In preparation of the 2016-17 budget and the superintendent's desire to pursue a more competitive salary package in fiscal year 2016-17, effective immediately, it is necessary to ask each school and department to objectively consider all general fund purchases," Swinson wrote in a memo to staff.

She said daily needs, such as cleaning supplies, would not come under the freeze. But in "unique" instances, she wrote, leaders must be "extremely conservative," getting permission from top district administrators before spending.

Superintendent Kurt Browning has stated that he wants to give employee raises up to 3 percent. Contract negotiations are set to begin next week.

THINKING INSIDE THE (BIG) BOX: Population in the Odessa area of Pasco County is growing. Schools there are crowded beyond capacity. And the SuperTarget that opened in 2006 has sat vacant for two months.

The scenario has Pasco School District leaders thinking.

"We're having discussions about possible uses" of the former retail site, which sits just off the Suncoast Parkway at State Road 54, Browning said.

The superintendent met recently with key staffers to talk about ideas, which he didn't detail. (It's not unheard of for abandoned shopping space to find new life as a school.) But conversations have not extended to the property owner, Browning quickly noted.

After hearing of these discussions, some district workers emailed Browning to suggest that the Target become the Pasco eSchool. It has moved five times in six years.

Browning said the site is "not a burning issue right now." If something comes up, he added, it won't be a secret.

MORE VIEWS NEEDED: With a growing number of schools facing state-required turnaround plans, the district is examining options for improving student performance.

Everything from staffing to curriculum to teaching methods is on the table.

Key administrators met about a week ago to discuss ideas such as bonus pay and support services. A document outlining the driving philosophy set forth five areas considered critical to success: minimal politics, minimal confusion, high morale, high productivity and low turnover of talented leaders.

Browning had expected to leave the session with some decisions. After more than two hours together, though, the team determined that it needed to hear local voices, district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.

"It's time to hear from the schools," Cobbe said, adding that the administration would meet with principals to further discuss options and plans.

Time is of the essence, as district improvement plans are coming due, and teachers are clamoring for information about expectations at the struggling schools. Cobbe said the team hopes to have solid answers "soon."

RECOGNIZED: For the first time that anyone can recall, Pasco County schools have won both the elementary and secondary school Family and Community Involvement Awards for the region.

The Florida Department of Education and PTA issue the awards annually, by region, for the schools that have successful programs that can be replicated by others.

This year, Fox Hollow Elementary was recognized for its Hollow Diner, which serves weekly dinners to students and their families while also providing homework assistance.

Zephyrhills High was honored for its Weekend Backpack Program and Bulldog Boutique, which provide students with food for the weekend and clothes for events such as prom.

The schools will be officially recognized at an event in July at the Innisbrook resort.

Contact Jeffrey S. Solochek at jsolochek@tampabay.com or (813) 909-4614. Follow @JeffSolochek.