Addison Davis

The Hillsborough County School District was the only one in the Tampa Bay region to have more schools improve their grades since 2019 than decline.

In 2019, there were 28 Hillsborough schools with D or F grades. Now, that number is down to five.

Pasco County schools will have an increased law enforcement presence, while officials expressed sadness and urged students to report suspicious activity and reach out if they're struggling to cope with the tragedy.

Hillsborough Superintendent Addison Davis said these changes will be explained to officials at upcoming principal meetings and the summer leadership institute.

Hillsborough County voters will consider a tax referendum for schools on the August ballot, while Pasco voters will face a similar question in November.

The referendum pitched by Addison Davis comes as the district sees a projected $89 million deficit for the period ending in June.

The possible pay raises for school bus drivers was discussed the same day the Florida House approved slashing funding for Hillsborough County and 11 other school districts.

The agreement would provide one-time salary increases for all Hillsborough County public school instructional personnel. It still needs to be ratified by the union and approved by the school board.

A Florida lawmaker wants to cut $200 million from school districts that enforced student mask mandates, including Hillsborough and Sarasota counties.

The mask requirement risks provoking the wrath of the governor and education commissioner.

The Hillsborough County School Board will discuss ways to curb the spread of the virus in schools.

The requirement marks a change of course for the district, which had said previously that masks would be optional.