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Thomas C. Tobin - Editor, Education and Clearwater
Thomas C. Tobin

Editor, Education and Clearwater

I lead a talented team of journalists covering a diverse range of topics including education, religion, local nonprofits and the city of Clearwater. When I arrived in Tampa Bay in the mid-1980s from my hometown of St. Louis, Florida was just coming into its own as the economic, political and cultural powerhouse it is today. Since then I've covered local and state government, election issues, education and more. As the Times’ state reporter for two years, I got a chance to travel to a different corner of Florida every week. For a time, I delved into the world of Scientology. It’s been amazing to see our state and our region grow. I love to hear from readers. Give me a shout any time.

  1. Pinellas decides on a name for its new middle school in St. Petersburg
    Jan. 25• The Education Gradebook
    An architect's rendering shows the outdoor recreation features planned for Pinellas County’s newest middle school, a partnership between the school district and the YMCA of Greater St. Petersburg. The school board voted on Jan. 24, 2023, to name the new campus Mangrove Bay Middle School, after the neighborhood that surrounds it.
  2. Florida wants its own version of a small conservative college in Michigan
    Jan. 14• The Education Gradebook
    A school flag waves in the wind on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at New College of Florida in Sarasota, where Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed six conservatives to the board of trustees.
  3. Florida, Tampa Bay see thousands without power as temperatures drop
    Dec. 24, 2022• News
    People in need of a warm place to sleep wait in line to enter the Hillsborough County cold weather Shelter hosted by the Hyde Park Methodist Church on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 in Tampa.
  5. Scholarship offers Tampa Bay high school seniors $25,000 for college
    Dec. 22, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Graduating seniors from St. Petersburg High attend their commencement ceremony at Tropicana Field on Friday, May 20, 2022, in Pinellas County. High school seniors from Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties can apply for a scholarship that offers $25,000 for college starting in 2023.
  6. Dozens arrested, cited during overnight ‘DUI wolf pack’ in Pinellas
    Dec. 18, 2022• Breaking News
    A "DUI wolf pack" operation that spanned Saturday night and early Sunday morning in Pinellas County netted a large number of DUI arrests, speeding tickets and charges for other offenses, the Sheriff's Office said.
  7. UF presidential finalist Sen. Ben Sasse in Gainesville today for campus visit
    Oct. 10, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., talks during the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020, on Capitol Hill in Washington. On Monday, he travels to Gainesville to meet with students, faculty and employees at the University of Florida.
  8. Wanted for questioning: driver of a Nissan Altima with missing side mirror
    Sep. 5, 2022• Breaking News
    The Florida Highway Patrol released this photo of a broken passenger-side mirror found at the scene of a crash where a bicyclist was struck on Saturday in Pasco County. The mirror appears to have come from a gray Nissan Altima, troopers said.
  9. Look, it’s an old house in the middle of Fourth Street N in St. Petersburg
    Jul. 31, 2022• St. Petersburg
    Crews clear power lines along Fourth Street N in St. Petersburg on Sunday to make way for a house that was moved from its original location a few blocks away at 136 Fourth Ave. NE. The house was built in 1912. Its relocation paves the way for construction of The Nolen, a 23-story residential tower on Fourth Avenue NE.
  10. Pasco man killed in bicycle crash on Scenic Drive
    Jul. 31, 2022• Breaking News
    Authorities are looking for the driver of a vehicle that struck and killed a man on a bicycle in Pasco County early Sunday.
  11. Raymond James leader will head Pinellas Education Foundation board
    Jul. 12, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Tash Elwyn, president and CEO of Raymond James & Associates, has been named chairperson of the Pinellas Education Foundation's board.
  12. Hillsborough sheriff charges man, 18, with threatening ‘the nearest school’
    May 30, 2022• Crime
    Corey Anderson, 18, was charged on Sunday, May 29, 2022, with Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said.
  13. Meet Hernando County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2022
    May 27, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    In this livestream image, math teacher and senior class sponsor Tara Ferlita is seen raising her arms in celebration after telling graduates at Nature Coast Technical High to turn their tassels at the school's commencement ceremony on Friday, May 20, 2022. Graduations for the Hernando County School District's four other high schools were scheduled for May 26, 27 and 28.
  14. Here’s what Tampa Bay school leaders are saying about the Texas shooting
    May 25, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    This March 2022 photo provided by Manny Renfro shows his grandson, Uziyah Garcia, while on spring break in San Angelo, Texas. The 8-year-old was among those killed in Tuesday's shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24 in Uvalde, Texas.
  15. A look at Pasco County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2022
    May 20, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Graduates from River Ridge High in New Port Richey celebrate before their commencement ceremony in 2014. The class of 2022 in Pasco County will get its chance in the coming days, with graduations scheduled through late May and early June.
  16. Here are the top students at Pinellas private schools for 2022
    May 17, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Students from Pinellas County private schools are graduating this month along with their peers in area public schools.
  17. Introducing the valedictorians and salutatorians for Pinellas public schools
    May 17, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Seniors applaud at the conclusion of the Star-Spangled Banner during Pinellas Park High School's graduation ceremony at Tropicana Field in 2019. Ceremonies for the Class of 2022 begin Thursday at the Trop, where all but three Pinellas high schools will hold their commencements.
  18. $2M gift ensures future of Walker’s Rising Stars arts competition in Pinellas
    May 12, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Philanthropist Jeffrey Walker, center, joins students rehearsing for the Walker’s Rising Stars competition at the Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg on Thursday, May 12, 2022. From left are Megan Bishop, Kiley Campbell, Christy Do, Luna Garcia, Walker, Pinellas Education Foundation CEO Stacy Baier, Meghan McMillin, Charlie Lane, Sophia Sapienza and Afeiyah Kamall.
  19. Hillsborough County’s private schools celebrate their top students
    May 10, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough County's private-school graduates will join their peers from area public schools in celebration over the next few weeks.
  20. Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians from Hillsborough public schools
    May 10, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Graduates take their seats during Durant High School's 2019 commencement at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Graduation season for Hillsborough County's Class of 2022 will run from May 17-28 this year, with most ceremonies scheduled for the Fairgrounds.
  21. A closer look at Florida’s rejected math textbooks
    Apr. 29, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Pictured are some of the math textbooks that Florida rejected two weeks ago, saying they contained "prohibited topics and unsolicited strategies." State officials continue to turn away questions about the decision.
  22. Here are the math textbooks Florida rejected for having unwanted topics
    Apr. 21, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Florida Republican leaders allege publishers are trying to indoctrinate children by slipping "unsolicited strategies" and "prohibited topics" into textbooks.
  23. East Lake High art educator is Pinellas County’s Teacher of the Year
    Jan. 27, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Pinellas County Teacher of the Year Eileen Iacobucci is greeted by East Lake High School Principal Carmela Haley on Thursday at the school. Iacobucci, who has been a visual arts teacher at East Lake since 2007 and has worked in Pinellas County Schools since 1998.
  24. Hernando County announces its Teacher of the Year
    Jan. 25, 2022• The Education Gradebook
    Lt. Cmdr. Christian Cruz, a retired U.S. Navy officer, was announced Tuesday as Hernando County's Teacher of the Year.