What's Pasco Saying?

Pasco School Budget Cuts: Are You Worried?

With Pasco County Schools facing down another $23 million shortfall next academic year, we want to get your take on the situation.

Pasco County School District employees haven’t had raises in years. There’s a hiring freeze on, enacted at the district level. Not too long ago, nearly 500 positions were shed and the district has faced year after year of funding declines. The anticipated shortfall for the 2012-13 year is $25.6 million. Now, the district is anticipating yet another lean year ahead. Projections call for an estimated $23 million funding shortfall for the 2013-14 school year. That’s why the district has put the brakes on filling open positions. How exactly the district will tackle the gap remains to be seen.  As the district delves into its budget concerns, here’s what we’d like to know from you Pasco: Do the potential cuts have you worried? How has your …

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Land O’ Lakes Schools Closed Monday

Pasco County Public Schools are closed for a teacher planning day.

Pasco County public school students get to sleep in a little later on Monday, Oct. 22. All public schools are closed Monday for a teacher planning day. The first grading period ended Oct. 19, which means teachers need Monday cleared to tally grades and get prepared for the next grading period. The next time students are off in Pasco is Nov. 19, which is the start of the weeklong Thanksgiving break. For a complete look at the school year calendar, visit the district online. How are your kids spending their Monday off? Share your best ideas for keeping Land O’ Lakes kids busy in the comments section.

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Pasco High Schools Make Gains in Reading Proficiency

Writing scores tracked with state averages.

Every high school in Pasco County has reported gains in the reading proficiency section of the ninth and 10th grade FCATs, according to the Pasco County School District. “This accomplishment is particularly impressive considering the fact that the state increased the rigor of the assessment last year and increased the minimum score required to achieve proficiency this year,” district officials stated in a press release. Statewide scores on the writing FCAT were so low that the state authorities lowered the passing score. The writing test is taken by fourth-, eighth- and 10th-graders. However, the Pasco School District exceeded the state average in reading proficiency on the ninth and 10th grade FCATs, according to the district. Fifty-four …

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