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Money, Mystery Meat Is On Their Minds

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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: January 21, 2009

TAMPA - They may be teenagers, but they're not immune to concerns about the economy.
High school students came before the Hillsborough County School Board last week to talk about exam exemptions, magnet programs and cafeteria food. But the dominant theme was what would happen when the district's budget got cut.

"What types of cuts are we considering that would directly affect our teachers, supplies and what we need for our classroom?" asked Gabriela Del Hierro, Chamberlain's student body president.

Del Hierro was one of 81 students who represented their high school or career center in the district's annual student forum. The board invites student leaders to bring their questions and concerns and responds to each item in person or in writing.

The district is facing millions in budget cuts, and students had ideas about how to save money and questions about where the district is spending.

Blake Evans, senior class president at Leto High School, said he didn't understand how the district was building schools when enrollment was dropping and money was tight.

"Why is the county opening two new high schools when existing high schools have not all reached capacity?" Evans said.

Gaither's student government president, Brittany Coffman, asked whether budget cuts would affect lunches and whether the district would consider bringing in outside vendors for meals instead of decreasing the food quality.

Other students wanted to know whether reductions would hit sports and arts programs.

Board member Jennifer Faliero said the district is committed to avoiding cuts to the classroom. Everything else is on the table, she said, and some electives could be at risk if enrollment is low.

"If you don't have enough students, it doesn't pay to have it offered," Faliero said.

She said she liked the idea of looking at outside vendors for lunch and told Evans that the new high schools were necessary.

Strawberry Crest and Steinbrenner high schools will open in eastern Hillsborough and Lutz, respectively. Crowded high schools surround both areas. The district also is considering changing attendance boundaries in other spots to fill schools with space, Faliero said.

Some of the students' requests can be handled at the school or district level, but others would require attention from Tallahassee. Students who wanted the school year to start earlier so they can finish semester exams before winter break would have to appeal to the state for that to change, board members said.

"I would love to see a campaign among students in the state," board member Candy Olson said.

Member Doretha Edgecomb told the group that she was struck by the quality of their questions.

"Your questions reflect that you see the world beyond yourselves, beyond your schools," she said.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503.

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