heather fiorentino

John Shafchuk, who first joined the Pasco County school district in 1975, is about to serve his final day here. Shafchuk, principal of Deer Park Elementary on Trouble Creek Road since 2003, caught folks off guard this past week by filing his retirement papers. He leaves at the end of the semester (officially, Jan. 6).  

Kathryn Starkey tried to swallow the words almost as soon as they left her mouth. But Pasco School Board meetings have no seven-second delay, or even a buzzer to cover over errant phrases. So despite her best efforts to restate her views with more acceptable wording, Starkey had already collected looks of surprise from the audience and her colleagues by saying: "When you piss off some and you please some, you probably did the best that you could."

Say the decision might be vexing to some   -Heather Fiorentino

 

Despite pressure from the United School Employee of Pasco , including dozens of e-mails to board members, the Pasco School Board unanimously approved bonuses for all district administrators and other non-negotiating employees late Tuesday. The bonuses at one time were to be more than $900 — higher than the supplements that teachers and school-related personnel stand to receive if they approve their proposed contract. (The board approved the contract on Tuesday, and USEP members are to vote on Thursday.)  

Allen Altman, who has served as vice chairman of the Pasco School Board for the past year, rose to the chairmanship this evening on a 4-1 vote. When asked if anyone opposed the nomination, Altman voted against himself. "I think that can be stricken from the record," superintendent Heather Fiorentino said amid laughter.

I think that can be stricken from the record   -Heather Fiorentino

 

Pasco schools superintendent Heather Fiorentino has recommended one-time across-the-board bonuses for all district administrators and non-union staff, and the United School Employees of Pasco doesn't like it.  

The nearly 900 Pasco school district employees who don't get to negotiate their terms of employment stand to get the same general deal that the district's teachers cut during contract talks.  

See business leaders asked to help fix Florida's complex educational problems.  

A pair of events will help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Heart Institute at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.  

One of the perks of gaining "high-performing" status from the Florida Department of Education is a school district's ability to start classes sooner than two weeks before Labor Day.  

Representatives from the Pasco County school district and the United School Employees of Pasco ended contract negotiations late Thursday with an agreement that would pay all district workers a supplement up to $850. All employees would continue to receive fully paid health care benefits, and layoffs remain off the table. But for a second straight year, no one will get a raise or a step increase based on years of service.

We feel this is as good as we could do under the circumstances.   -Lynne Webb