Danny Valentine, Times Staff Writer
Danny Valentine is based in Brooksville, covering education and general assignment stories for tampabay.com and the Tampa Bay Times. Always accepting story ideas.
Phone: (352) 848-1432
Email: dvalentine@tampabay.com
Twitter: @DannyValentine
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Elimination of valedictorian, salutatorian designations in Hernando doesn't set well with all
05/24/13K12Nature Coast Technical High School senior Alyssa Cooper has always been a motivated student.
She's worked hard to achieve a 4.55 grade-point average. To pull in highest honors at the school. To obtain her associate's degree from Pasco-Hernando Community College.
One big factor keeping her motivated: the prospect of becoming valedictorian — earning her graduating class's top academic honor....
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Nature Coast Technical High grad, class of 2013, is a leader
05/24/13K12BROOKSVILLE — Victor Davila is a leader. And he's not afraid to admit it.
Whether it's on the basketball court or walking the halls of Nature Coast Technical High School, Davila said he's always trying to be there for others, lending a helpful hand or listening to those in need.
"I don't really like following people," said Davila, 18. "I like starting my own trends. I like leading."...
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Elimination of valedictorian, salutatorian designations in Hernando doesn’t set well with all
05/24/13 BlogNature Coast Technical High School senior Alyssa Cooper has always been a motivated student.
She’s worked hard to achieve a 4.55 grade-point average. To pull in highest honors at the school. To obtain her associate’s degree from Pasco-Hernando Community College.
One big factor keeping her motivated: the prospect of becoming valedictorian — earning her graduating class’s top academic honor....
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Three new principals appointed at Hernando schools
05/24/13K12BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County schools superintendent Bryan Blavatt announced Friday the appointment of three administrators to fill soon-to-be-vacant principal positions.
John Stratton, the current principal at Explorer K-8 School, will become the next principal at Central High School. Stratton, who has eight years of administrative experience in Hernando, will replace interim principal Marvin Gordon, who was filling in for Joe Clifford. Clifford retired mid-year....
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Hernando School Board agrees to contract with new superintendent
05/21/13K12BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County School District officially has a new superintendent.
After weeks of negotiations with Lori Romano, School Board members on Tuesday voted 4-1 to ratify a contract with the Martin County schools administrator worth about $150,000 a year.
School Board member Cynthia Moore cast the dissenting vote.
"I really don't approve of the salary because we are having to cut instructional people and noninstructional people at schools," said Moore, who has opposed Romano's appointment. "This is cutting them and giving her more money."...
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Former education foundation director will run for Hernando School Board
05/20/13K12BROOKSVILLE — Former Hernando County Education Foundation director Beth Narverud has announced that she will run for the District 3 Hernando County School Board seat, currently held by Dianne Bonfield.
Narverud, 49, is the first candidate to enter the 2014 School Board race.
"Our school system is making progress, but it is time to take it to the next level," Narverud said in a statement announcing her intentions. "I want to be part of the team that will help place Hernando County schools amongst the best in the state of Florida."...
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Hurricane forecasters still struggle with intensity
05/17/13HurricanesThe forecast for Superstorm Sandy was spot on. Two days before the storm struck the East Coast, meteorologists issued a strikingly accurate forecast of both the storm's track and strength. It gave emergency planners time to prepare. Residents time to get to safety.
It was a victory for meteorologists.
That's the storm you probably remember. But that's only part of the tale.
About five days before it made landfall in New Jersey, Sandy was barreling toward Cuba. Just a day out, forecasters predicted it would be a Category 1 hurricane with winds of about 80 mph....
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Brooksville UPS supervisor charged in burglaries at shipping center
05/15/13CrimeBROOKSVILLE — Scott Joseph Astringer officially held the title of senior supervisor at the UPS shipping center off Broad Street.
But Brooksville police on Wednesday called him something else: criminal mastermind.
Astringer, 39, planned, organized and assisted in two burglaries at his place of employment, resulting in the theft of several thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry, coins and electronics, as well as roughly $20,000 in prescription drugs, said Brooksville police Chief George Turner....
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Hernando schools consider 5 percent cuts to make up for budget deficit
05/14/13K12BROOKSVILLE — Hernando County schools have been slammed by budget cuts.
Faced with consecutive rounds of 10 percent reductions over the past two years, they've had to slash valuable programs and positions. They've been forced to eliminate electives.
There is less money available for busing and student supplies.
And despite an increase in funding from the state, the cutting might not be over yet, said superintendent Bryan Blavatt....
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Hernando schools, new superintendent reach contract agreement
05/13/13 BlogBROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County School Board and its next superintendent, Lori Romano, reached a tentative contract agreement on Monday following weeks of negotiation.
“It’s nice to get it done,” said board chairman Matt Foreman, who was part of the district’s negotiating team. “I’m looking forward to working with Dr. Romano and to continue to make sure our school district is well taken care of.”...
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Hernando schools, new superintendent reach contract agreement
05/13/13K12BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County School Board and its next superintendent, Lori Romano, reached a tentative contract agreement on Monday following weeks of negotiation.
"It's nice to get it done," said board chairman Matt Foreman, who was part of the district's negotiating team. "I'm looking forward to working with Dr. Romano and to continue to make sure our school district is well taken care of."...
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Hernando schools to again seek new chief financial officer
05/08/13K12BROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County School District is in the market for a new chief financial officer — again.
John Wilkinson, named to the position in April, told the district on Tuesday that he can no longer take the position and that he and his family need to return to Ohio. His first day with the district was supposed to be May 28.
Married with four children, Wilkinson said his wife was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and that its symptoms are triggered by heat and humidity. After talking it over, Wilkinson and his wife decided it would be best to return to the Cincinnati area. They'll be close to family and felt it was the best situation to manage the illness....
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Hernando County schools looking for new chief financial officer
05/08/13 BlogBROOKSVILLE — The Hernando County School District is in the market for a new chief financial officer — again.
John Wilkinson, named to the position in April, told the district on Tuesday he can no longer take the position and that he and his family need to return to Ohio. His first day with the district was supposed to be May 28.
Married with four children, Wilkinson said his wife was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and that its symptoms are triggered by heat and humidity. After talking it over, Wilkinson and his wife decided it would be best to return to the Cincinnati area. They’ll be close to family and friends and felt it was the best situation to manage the illness....
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Hernando County School Board willing to offer incoming chief more money
05/07/13K12BROOKSVILLE — They're willing to give more.
That's the message a divided Hernando County School Board sent its negotiating team Tuesday during a sometimes tense meeting called to hash out the unresolved details of incoming superintendent Lori Romano's contract.
The biggest point of contention: Romano's salary.
During a face-to-face meeting last month, the district offered Romano, 41, a package that included a $115,000 annual salary, an amount that fell in middle of the advertised salary range for the position....
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Lawyer ticked after Hernando schools don't fix typo
05/06/13K12BROOKSVILLE — Public defender Kirk Campbell hears the same cringe-inducing mistake again and again from his clients:
"Adjudification," they say.
What they really mean: Adjudication.
Groan.
Campbell usually doesn't make a big deal about people messing up the word.
Except in this case.
About a year ago, Campbell and his wife were filling out the volunteer and chaperone application form for the Hernando County School District when he saw something that caused him great distress:...
