TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Public Schools rescheduled a school board workshop on its redistricting process from Jan. 31 to Feb. 13.  

"Our district is taking two weeks of additional time to analyze feedback in order for the Superintendent to make his final recommendation. He will be giving his recommendation to the Board at their workshop meeting on the 13th," HCPS Director of Media & Public Relations Erin Maloney said via e-mail. The final vote is currently expected to take place March 9.

What You Need To Know

  • A school board workshop on Hillsborough County Public Schools' redistricting process has been pushed back two weeks

  • A district spokesperson says this will allow more time to analyze feedback before the superintendent recommends a redistricting scenario

  • An e-mail from the district to parents says more community meetings are also planned for the end of February

  • Parents in South Tampa told school board member Stacy Hahn during a neighborhood meeting Wednesday they still have questions

At a meeting with people who live in the North Bon Air and Westshore Palms neighborhoods Wednesday evening, school board member Stacy Hahn described it as a "soft recommendation" that would give a good idea of what Superintendent Addison Davis is leaning toward when it comes to the redistricting scenarios up for consideration.

Consultant WXY Studio laid out three possible scenarios that have a range of impacts, including boundary changes and repurposing schools.

Davis has said each scenario can save the district millions of dollars, will create opportunity for students and will help address over- and under-enrollment in schools. Depending on the plan chosen, 11,000-24,000 students could be impacted.

Hahn and residents also mentioned a fourth scenario. 

"I don't know much about it myself other than it's going to take into consideration a lot more very specific needs of the community, which I was very encouraged to hear," said Hahn. "That tells me that the superintendent and staff are taking into consideration all the feedback that they've been receiving."

 

The district wrote in an e-mail to parents that more than 1,000 people came out to ten community meetings on the redistricting process earlier this month. The plans have created concerns for parents, including Shawn Boyle. The North Bon Air resident said both of her children could be impacted if scenarios 2 or 3 are ultimately approved by the district. She said her daughter, now in eighth grade, could be rezoned to Jefferson High School instead of Plant High, and her son, now in fifth grade, could be rezoned to Pierce Middle School instead of Coleman Middle.

"As far as with Pierce, it's north of the highway, there's no easy way to get there," said Boyle. "And then, as far as high school, I mean, my daughter's already picked her classes for Plant."

Hahn told parents she hears their concerns, but noted families in other parts of her district want to switch out of crowded schools.

"I have some of my schools sitting at 122 percent, and they're excited about moving," Hahn said. 

She told the group the district should be making decisions that are best for all neighborhoods.

A concern parents have expressed throughout this process is that it's been rushed, and that also came up at Wednesday's meeting. Right now, the plan is to implement any approved changes next school year, but Hahn said she'd support pushing that to 2024-2025.

"I can only speak for myself. There are six other board members that would have to weigh in," Hahn said.

When it comes to pushing back the workshop to allow for more feedback analysis, Boyle said it's a start, but the process still feels fast and she'd like more answers.

"I think that the financials have to be made public. They need to let people know exactly what's going on," she said.

Hahn said she has questions, too.

"Because we are in a financial crisis, I'd like to know how the numbers were created, where the savings are going to be coming from, and also repurposing of the schools. Where are the plans for those schools that are going to be repurposed?" Hahn said. 

Hahn did make a pledge to residents that she told them she's also made to Davis.

"I made a promise tonight I'm not going to support a scenario that doesn't keep my district 2 families in district 2 schools," she said.

Hahn said she's glad the timeline has been extended and that it allows for more community meetings. According to the district e-mail, those meetings are scheduled to be held:

Monday, Feb. 20

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

King High School
6815 North 56th St., Tampa

Mulrennan Middle School
4215 Durant Rd., Valrico

Wednesday, Feb. 22

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Webb Middle School
6035 Hanley Rd., Tampa

Thursday, Feb. 23

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Madison Middle School
4444 W. Bay Vista Ave., Tampa

Chamberlain High School
9401 North Boulevard, Tampa