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Tag: Fallon Silcox

  • Pinellas County schools add ‘pay to play’ fee for athletics

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    LARGO, Fla. — Students in Pinellas County Schools will have to pay a fee to play school sports. The school board made the decision at Tuesday’s board workshop, and school officials say it’s to help expand offerings to student athletes.

    What You Need To Know

    • The fee will be $50 per sport, with a max of $200 per family. 

    • The schools athletic director says other school districts have implemented similar fees to keep up with rising athletic costs.

    • Parents say they hope some of the money from the fee is used to support current sports as well, and not just going towards new programs.


    It is $50 per sport, with a max of $200 per family. Parents who talked to Spectrum Bay News 9 say they support school sports, but the price to play keeps rising and they worry some families won’t be able to afford it.

    “I mean, if my daughter wants to play sports, I’m going to find a way, but I think for some families it might be a little bit harder,” said Katrina Piparo.

    Piparo’s daughter, Alyvia, cheers and plays flag football for Hollins High School. She says she loves participating in both sports, but admits, even without the new $50 fee, per sport, it can be pricey.

    “For example, flag football, you have to buy your cleats, you have to buy your gloves. There’s a lot of purchases that need to be made for sports once the kids get started,” she said.

    While she feels it’s money well spent, she worries the added fee to play may be more than some families can afford. But Marc Allison, who is the athletic director for Pinellas County Schools, says there will be help for families who need it. 

    “We know that our athletes, students that get involved and are engaged in school in any way, shape or form, have a greater academic success story.  They have better connections, less behavior challenges, and those kinds of things, and by continuing to offer more and more opportunities, we are able to reach out to kids that might not have had these opportunities other ways,” he said.

    Allison says the district will use the money from the fees to add sport programs to both middle and high schools. He says other school districts have implemented similar fees to keep up with rising athletic costs.

    “As we continue to expand and offer opportunities we know that there’s rising costs already with the cost of officials, the cost of transportation, uniform costs, all those things rise, and we don’t want to sacrifice the excellence that’s already occurring in our schools,” said Allison.

    Donna Munera’s son is 15 and is on the track and swim team at his high school. She says she understands the budget restraints school districts are facing, and, personally knowing what a difference sports can have on your life, she is willing to contribute.  

    “It’s so much more than just playing a game, and I know it needs funding, and I personally am willing to help with that funding, I hope the community is,” she said.

    Parents say they hope some of the money from the fee is used to support current sports as well, and not just going towards new programs. Munera mentioned that her son’s track team can’t afford to pay for a school bus to take them to meets, and it often falls on parents and coaches to make up for things the teams are lacking.

    Pasco and Polk County schools both have participation fees, similar to what Pinellas is implementing. Hillsborough County Schools only has a participation fee for lacrosse, and Citrus County Schools is considering adding a fee — they say they will decided over the summer. 

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  • Pasco County voters may be asked to extend school tax

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — In November, Pasco County voters may have a decision to make: Continue paying a school tax referendum, or let it expire. 

    In 2022, Pasco voters approved a referendum to support school employee salaries, but it expires in June 2027. The school board voted last week to ask taxpayers for a renewal.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pasco school board voted last week to ask taxpayers for a renewal of a school tax referendum 

    • The tax money is used to supplement pay for both instructional and non-instructional positions, including bus drivers, teachers, custodians, and other school support staff

    • Superintendent John Legg the referendum is a needed source of income that helps the school district keep up with other districts

    • What is millage? One mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. It’s how the taxing authorities calculate your property tax. Want to know more about millage rates? Visit the Pinellas County Tax Collector website.


    The tax money is used to supplement pay for both instructional and non-instructional positions, including bus drivers, teachers, custodians, and other school support staff.

    Without it, Superintendent Dr. John Legg said it’ll be tough for Pasco to compete with neighboring districts, which have referendums.

    “What this referendum does is it continues the pay we’ve been doing the last several years,” Legg said.

    Legg said since voters approved the initial tax referendum in 2022, classroom vacancies decreased by nearly 83%, and without it, “If the voters say no to this, it would mean a drastic cut in our teachers’ pay. 

    “It would drop our teacher pay by 12% on average.”

    The Pasco County School Board is seeking a renewal of its one mill property tax. 

    If passed, nothing would really change for Pasco County homeowners; they would continue paying the same tax, which Dr. Legg says is $300 per year for the average homeowner.

    A Pasco school bus driver and teacher, both in their professions for over 18 years, said both they’ve personally noticed positive changes since receiving the referendum.

    “The morale of faculty members has increased,” said James Washington, a Pasco County teacher. “The idea that we’ve got a community that supports us, there was a lot of vitriol in the news for months and months and months four years ago, and now it’s starting to swell in the opposite direction where people validate what teachers are again.”

    Bur driver Mary Ann Brini said the referendum has made a difference.

    “It’s very important to keep new staff moving in,” Brini said. “If we don’t have this, in my personal opinion, I don’t know what will happen down the line.”

    Critics of the referendum say teachers and school staff shouldn’t have to rely on voters to maintain their raises. 

    Michelle Mandarin, a parent who hosts an education podcast, said teachers need sustainability in their salaries.

    “We knew it was coming,” said Mandarin, who also is running for the District 5 school board seat. “But we did warn the board that it’s not a sustainable way to increase the pay of our teachers. We really feel like there is a way we can restructure the budget and put it into the core budget.”

    Meanwhile, Legg said he is confident Pasco County voters will continue supporting education. 

    “The people of Pasco County value education and believe that education is important and essential for our thriving economy so I’m confident that our voters will re-affirm what they’ve already said.”

    The next step is for the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners to vote on whether to put this on November’s ballot. Legg said he plans on meeting with them and he doesn’t expect any issues. 

    The vote may happen as soon as March.

    The referendum adds from around $3,000 to $5,500 per year for staff, depending on their position.

    Hillsborough and Pinellas County schools both have referendums that voters approved in recent years.

    Polk County voters will be deciding on a school tax referendum in November. 

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  • Pasco County schools turn to truancy petitions over attendance issues

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    LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. — The Pasco County School District is taking a tougher stance on student absences, and some families may find themselves answering to a judge.

    The district is filing truancy petitions against families when kids miss too many days.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Pasco County school superintendent says truancy has been a big problem in schools since the pandemic

    • Families who receive truancy petitions will have to go before a judge and explain why their child missed so much school

    • Superintendent Dr. John Legg called it a last resort but said students need to be in the classroom 


    Superintendent Dr. John Legg says truancy petitions are a last resort. So far, the district has only filed about a dozen petitions. But still, some families say the policy is concerning.

    “Attendance is crucial. When our students miss school, they miss the knowledge, they miss the activities, they miss the learning from the other students, and they fall behind,” Legg said.

    He says truancy has been a big problem in Pasco County schools since the pandemic. Right now, 1,200 students are considered truant, meaning they’ve missed more than 15 days of school in 90 days, all unexcused. So the district had to buckle down, sending out truancy petitions.

    “What we’re looking at are those most severe cases where we have students that are absent 40, 50 days out of 90 days, bringing these before the court to get their assistance in order to help these students get to school so they can get the education they deserve,” he said.

    Families who receive truancy petitions will have to go before a judge and explain why their child missed so much school. The judge will decide the action to take. 

    Jessica Silber, owner of Elevate Advocate & Learning Co., says the policy has some of her clients concerned.

    “I think there can be some great intentions sometimes behind guidelines but not always considering the needs of all students,” said Silber.

    Silber works with families who have children with special needs, like autism. She says while therapy appointments are excused absences, these families sometimes deal with other challenges, like anxiety or behavioral problems, that may not always come with a doctor’s note.

    “If there is something impacting their attendance outside of your control, then let’s go for an evaluation, let’s get it documented, in case something does come up and you have to go to court,” she said.

    Legg says ultimately the goal is support, not punishment, and keeping kids in class.

    “Those are all the things our social workers and schools work with our families on to make those excused absences and to work with families. What we’re talking about are those chronic absenteeism where parents simply do not bring their children to school,” he says.

    Legg says there are about 350 students whose absenteeism is excessive and warrants a truancy petition. The district will chip away at filing those petitions to help the courts keep from getting backed up.

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  • Florida invests in state college nursing programs to address workforce shortages

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A new state investment is helping train the next generation of nurses in Florida, with more than $20 million going to nursing programs across the state.

    What You Need To Know

    • A new state investment is helping train the next generation of nurses in Florida

    • More than $20 million is going to nursing programs across the state

    • The state says it has invested $485 million in nursing programs since 2022


    Gov. Ron DeSantis says the expanded funding and scholarships could help fill critical health care jobs, and it’s already making a difference for students at St. Pete College.

    While it looks like a hospital, it’s actually Kaylee Wynn’s classroom at St. Pete College, and Mr. Hercules, a simulation mannequin, is her patient.

    “You don’t expect it, you go up to a mannequin and it’s breathing, so it’s the weirdest thing at first. But you kind of get used to it,” she said.

    Kaylee is a fourth-semester nursing student and will graduate in May. Nursing will be Kaylee’s second career — she was a special needs teacher, until something happened in her life that prompted her to make a change.

    “When my dad was hit by a drunk driver, I saw him in and out of hospitals having experiences, good and bad ones. Those things change how you feel about things, so I wanted to make an impact on people,” she said.

    Kaylee received the LINE scholarship from the state to help her pay for nursing school. DeSantis recently awarded $20 million to LINE funding, saying Florida is investing to strengthen the health care workforce.

    “While you’re in nursing school, it’s hard to get the hours for work. You go from full-time to not working much, so any scholarship opportunity is great,” said Kaylee.

    SPC Dean of Nursing Jean Lee, who has been in nursing since 1991, says the demand for nurses is always there, but especially now. SPC recently expanded its program, and she says state funding is crucial to provide students with the essential equipment they need, like simulation mannequins.

    “The idea is that the simulation center mimics the real-world hospital, and so we have to provide experiences for them in simulation that will equate to what they experience when they go into the hospital and take care of real patients,” said Lee.

    Kaylee says that experience means when she graduates, she’ll be confident caring for patients from day one. 

    The state says it has invested $485 million in nursing programs since 2022.

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  • Polk County school leaders vote to move forward on rezoning 16 high schools

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    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County School Board voted Tuesday on a plan that could change where thousands of students attend school next year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Board members took the second and final vote on the rezoning plan for all 16 high schools in Polk County

    • The superintendent says that the rezoning is necessary because of significant population shifts over the last decade

    • Under the plan, new school boundaries would go into effect next school year


    Board members too the second and final vote on the rezoning plan for all 16 high schools in Polk County, approving it unamimously.

    District leaders say comprehensive rezoning is needed to deal with growth in Central Florida, and while changes like these can be stressful for families, the Polk Education Association says these changes will be beneficial for students.

    Officials say they didn’t take this lightly — the plan has been in the making for a couple years and allows for growth.

    “Comprehensive rezoning is necessary and comes after years of data analysis, demographic studies, research into population growth trends and input from various community stakeholders throughout our district,” Superintendent Frederick Heid said in a video created by Polk County Schools.

    Heid explained that the rezoning is necessary because of significant population shifts over the last decade, with some severely overcrowded high schools, and others, particularly those in the middle of the county, with much smaller enrollment and unutilized classroom space.

    Maps show the current and new boundaries for high schools. Heid said it’s a plan that has been in the making for a couple of years. The district held a series of public meetings and surveyed families, and all of that data was used to help create the comprehensive rezoning plan.

    Stephanie Yocum is the president of the Polk Education Association and says rezoning will ultimately benefit students and teachers.

    “With the limited dollars that Tallahassee is not giving us, we need to make sure we are utilizing those dollars to the maximum capacity. And rezoning helps, again, not just with teachers, and being able to lower class sizes at overpopulated schools. It helps us bring more equitable and stable staffing plans to schools, and it also helps the student experience,” she said.

    If passed, new school boundaries would go into effect next school year.

    The district says there is a plan for current sophomores to be grandfathered into their current high schools, but they would have to provide their own transportation to get there. The district is also developing a plan for siblings to keep families together.

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  • Proposed transfer of USF Sarasota-Manatee sparks debate over future of campus

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — A proposal in Tallahassee could change the future of higher education in Sarasota.

    Lawmakers are considering transferring University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to New College of Florida — a plan that supporters say would strengthen New College, while critics warn it could hurt students at USF.

    What You Need To Know

    • Lawmakers are considering transferring USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College of Florida

    • This isn’t the first time there have been talks about a transfer

    • If passed, USF Sarasota-Manatee properties and facilities would be transferred to New College of Florida by July 1, though UFC says current students would be able to finish their courses at the original campus

    • The proposal will now move through the legislative process, where lawmakers would have to approve the transfer


    This isn’t the first time there have been talks of transferring USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College of Florida. Spectrum News spoke with the Vice President of USF’s Faculty Senate, who said they fought a similar effort last year, and they weren’t expecting it to come back up.

    “This would be a forcible eviction of our faculty, staff, and students by this summer,” said Scott Perry.

    But the manager of media relations at USF Sarasota-Manatee, Ryan Hughes, says it won’t impact current students. “Students currently enrolled would be able to continue taking classes and finish their program at the Sarasota-Manatee campus if this legislation is passed,” Hughes said in a statement. “We would not admit or enroll any new students if the legislation is approved.”

    Perry’s feelings are clear about the proposed transfer of USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College of Florida. He has taught there for 19 years and is the vice president of USF’s Faculty Senate. He said that the campus means a lot to its students and community.

    “We have a very strong, active community group of supporters who really want these programs. We have 40 undergraduate programs. We’re an AAU accredited university,” said Perry.

    If passed, USF Sarasota-Manatee properties and facilities would be transferred to New College of Florida by July 1. At a December Board of Trustees meeting, Richard Corcoran, president of New College, called Gov. Ron DeSantis’ transfer plan “significant,” saying it solves a lot of problems.

    “That’s going to go through the legislative process. His budget is a recommendation, but I’ll say he’s been a tremendous advocate for New College and what’s going on here, so we feel pretty good about that,” said Corcoran.

    At a press conference in Pinellas County on Jan. 14, DeSantis said leadership agreed the transfer would be good for New College and that USF’s momentum is in Tampa Bay.

    “We’ve been supportive of it,” DeSantis said. “I think what they’ve been able to accomplish in such a short period of time — think about it — you were in the class and now they’re saying something different. It’s almost like you go to the Naval Academy and then they shift to Coast Guard. Well, that’s not what you signed up for,” said DeSantis.

    The proposal will now move through the legislative process, where lawmakers would have to approve the transfer.

    Perry says the Student Government Associations at all three USF campuses put together a resolution saying they oppose the transfer.

    EDITOR’S NOTE (Jan. 27, 2026): A previous version of this story said current students would have to transfer campuses. USF Sarasota-Manatee said that is incorrect. The article has been edited to include a statement from the media relations team at USF clarifying the impact on current students. The video has been removed.

    Previous New College Coverage

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  • FEA Ranks Polk County schools No.1 in vacancies

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    BARTOW, Fla. — The Florida Education Association (FEA) is calling it a “retention crisis at a breaking point,” after reviewing the number of teacher and instructional staff vacancies at schools across the state.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Florida Education Association (FEA) calls it a “retention crisis at a breaking point,” after reviewing the number of instructional staff vacancies

    • FEA reviewed county-by-county vacancy data as of January

    • With 412 vacancies, it lists Polk County schools as the number one district with the most vacancies in the entire state


    FEA reviewed county-by-county vacancy data as of January, and with 412 vacancies, it lists Polk County schools as the number one district with the most vacancies in the entire state.

    “That’s almost 10% of your classrooms that are not having a certified, qualified educator in front of children. So that’s a problem and it’s been a consistent problem, and it’s not just a consistent problem in Polk. This is happening statewide,” said Stephanie Yocum, President of the Polk Education Association.

    Yocum says retention is a big problem, and many of the teachers who she represents say they love teaching, but not the bureaucracy that comes with it.

    “Over the last 15, 20 years, the state has enacted laws and policies that have made it very hostile for teachers and educational staff to even want to come into this job, let alone stay in this job,” she said.

    Spectrum News reached out to Polk County schools and they declined an interview, but say that the 412 vacancies reported by the FEA is “a little misleading.” They say their vacancy figure includes positions filled by long-term subs, and that it includes positions like school counselors, social workers, deans, etc. District officials report their current vacancy count of strictly classroom teachers is roughly 300.

    Yocum says the goal, though, should always be to get permanent certified, qualified teachers in classrooms.

    “You might have a phenomenal long term sub that’s almost there to get certified but then you might have someone who’s just doing it to do it without any intention of being certified,” Yocum said. “So we can’t just be satisfied with having a warm body.”

    Yocum says if Polk County voters approve the millage referendum to raise teachers’ salaries in November, it could help, but in the meantime, Yocum says it’s students who pay the price.

    Hillsborough County Public Schools is second on the FEA list with 340 instructional staff vacancies.

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  • Pinellas County Schools now requires Level 2 background checks on all volunteers

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — With the new year comes some big changes for volunteers in Pinellas County Schools. The district is now requiring all volunteers to go through a Level 2 background screening, costing volunteers anywhere from $75 to $90.

    What You Need To Know

    • All Pinellas County school volunteers will be required to complete a Level 2 background screening

    • Level 2 background screenings cost anywhere from $75 to $90, which volunteers are responsible for

    • District officials say that if anyone needs financial assistance to cover the costs, they can reach out to the district

    • LINK: More about Level 2, how to volunteer


    Curtis Campogni has two kids in Pinellas County Schools and volunteers himself. He says an email he received from the district prior to going on winter break is on his mind. It stated that as of January, all volunteers must undergo a Level 2 background screening and pay for it.

    “First and foremost, moving to a Level 2 is definitely safer and prioritizing children’s safety is the primary goal,” said Campogni, and while he says Level 2 screening is absolutely safer for students, he has a lot of questions about the implementation.

    “It’s not just simply the cost associated with it, it’s the time, the communication,” he said. “It’s some of the bureaucracy that comes with, well what does it mean to be a volunteer and what does it mean to be a mentor?” 

    Mistine Dawe is the director of strategic partnerships for Pinellas County Schools. She says all 9,000 Level 1 volunteers will need to become Level 2 volunteers by the end of June.

    “Which means they will go through a background screening with clearinghouse,” Dawe said. “It’s the same system we use for our employees, and we also use it for our contractors, so they will be fingerprinted. That allows us to have continuous monitoring; it also allows us to have any arrest notifications that come in.”

    Dawe says fingerprinting can cost anywhere from $75 to $90, but there is financial assistance in place for anyone who needs it. She says the district doesn’t want to place any barriers for anyone who wants to give their time.

    “As we began to look at the safety and security of our schools, this was just an area that we knew we needed to make some adjustments in,” she said.

    Campogni says he appreciates the added security and hopes volunteers don’t get discouraged.

    “Being a mentor, or being a volunteer is about planting trees for the shade you might not see, but you will see it, so do not get discouraged,” he said. “Ask a lot of questions, get involved, and continue to wrap this village around our students.”

    Pinellas County Schools urges any volunteers who need assistance or have questions about the new policy to reach out.

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  • State education commissioner includes Bible verse in letter to families

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    LAND O’LAKES, Fla. — Should a Bible verse be included in a letter from the state’s Department of Education?

    Some families say that it violates the separation of church and state, so they were surprised when they received a letter from Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas quoting Proverbs 22:6.

    What You Need To Know

    • In a letter thanking private and homeschool families, Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas quoted Proverbs 22:6 from the Bible

    • Some families say that it’s a clear violation of separation between church and state, while others support the commissioner

    • The state’s DOE has not responded to our requests for comment on the letter that was sent prior to winter break

    • BELOW: Read the letter in full


    Denise Mestanza-Taylor received the email from the state’s education commissioner before winter break.

    “They were just talking about our rights as parents, and the freedoms we have as homeschoolers,” she said. “It listed some resources.”

    Addressed to “Florida’s parents,” the letter started by thanking private and homeschool families, which Mestanza-Taylor is. But she says when she got to the third paragraph, she said, “It listed a Bible verse, Proverbs 22:6 about guiding our children on the right path. I’m paraphrasing, but it just struck me as odd to see this Bible verse in a letter from the DOE.”

    Mestanza-Taylor says her family is Christian, but she firmly believes in secular education.

    On the other side, Tampa Bay Christian Homeschool Families disagreed, saying the following in a statement from Misty Sosa.

    “It is refreshing to see a public official acknowledge parents’ God-given rights and responsibilities regarding the education and raising of children. I would submit that excluding Christianity from the public is not a neutral position,” Sosa said. “It is, in fact, an argument in favor of a secular religion. All humans worship. Some worship God; some worship man. All worship.”

    “It puts one religion above all. Yes, as a Christian, I understand that we are to minister to others, but how would someone feel if it was a scripture from the Quran that was in a letter,” said Mestanza-Taylor.

    She says that while the Bible does have its place in her home, it doesn’t have a place in state education.

    Spectrum News reached out to the State’s Department of Education multiple times for a statement on the letter that included the Bible verse. It has not responded to any of our requests.

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  • Metropolitan Ministries provides Thanksgiving meals to thousands of families

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Metropolitan Ministries experienced a 300% increase in families seeking assistance with their Thanksgiving meal this year. 

    They say thanks to the generosity of the community, they were able to meet everyone’s needs, and on Thursday, they served thousands more a hot, Thanksgiving Day meal.

    What You Need To Know

    • Metropolitan Ministries experienced a 300% increase in families seeking assistance with their Thanksgiving meal this year

    • They provided over 14,000 meals to families across Tampa Bay

    • Metropolitan Ministries is still taking Christmas applications from families needing assistance, but say they’re filling up fast


    For the last 36 years, Joyce Keller has spent her Thanksgiving volunteering with Metropolitan Ministries. 

    “I just said, for my heart, this is what I want to do,” she said.

    On Thanksgiving Day, volunteers served people a hot meal with turkey and all the sides at the Portico Café in downtown Tampa. The doors were open to anyone: people facing homelessness, hunger, or who just needed a meal and someone to share it with. 

    “Very nice of them, very nice of them, very Christ-like,” said Rocky Carson, who came to enjoy Thanksgiving lunch. 

    Carson said he didn’t know where he would’ve spent Thanksgiving had it not been for Metropolitan Ministries, and Keller says he’s not alone. 

    In her nearly three decades of volunteering, this year, “More people.  You know, more issues, snap problems, a lot of kids.”

    Metropolitan Ministries provided more than 14,000 meals to families across Tampa Bay. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Fallon Silcox)

    Metropolitan Ministries served more than 200 people in downtown Tampa, and thousands more at locations across Tampa Bay.

    “It was really shocking with the government shutdown, delays in snap benefits, as well as just the general challenges people are having with the economy, we had a huge increase in need.  The first week of November we had a 300% increase, quadruple the number of people coming in for help,” said Christine Long, Executive vice president and Chief Programs officer for Metropolitan Ministries.

    She doesn’t expect it to slow down for Christmas, and now, Keller is looking ahead and said they’ll need some extra help.

    “Be thankful for what you have, not everybody is. Come volunteer at the ministry, we have opportunities seven days a week,” said Keller.

    Right now, Metropolitan Ministries is still accepting applications from families who may need some extra help this Christmas, but they expect to fill up fast. 

    If you’re able to help, they’re collecting toys and food throughout the holiday season.

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  • Wesley Chapel family seeks answers after fatal hit and run

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A family in Wesley Chapel is pleading for answers in a deadly hit and run that took the life of their loved one.

    Daniel Avena was hit while walking on Boyette Road in Pasco County on Nov. 16.

    What You Need To Know

    • Daniel Avena was killed in a hit and run on Nov. 16 in Wesley Chapel

    • The driver of a dark-colored Toyota Forerunner is sought by authorities

    • Avena’s family has posted signs urging community help and awareness

    • Florida Highway Patrol has released surveillance photos of the suspect vehicle


    Daniel Avena was hit while walking on Boyette Road in Pasco County on Nov. 16.

    Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after they say the driver who hit him took off, leaving Avena to be found by someone driving by the next morning.

    Avena’s family is devastated, but they say the way the community has rallied around them is comforting. They’ve posted signs all over the area, warning everyone to be on the lookout for the dark-colored Toyota Forerunner that’s believed to have hit Avena.

    “He was the most amazing person. Anybody who knew him knew he was so infectious. He had the best laugh, the best smile, the best sense of humor,” said Erin Day.

    Day is the mother of two of Avena’s children. She says Avena was better known as Bernie Mac, though, because of his funny, outgoing personality. Day says that on Nov. 16, all of their lives changed.

    “Around 6 o’clock he was hit by what they assume is a Toyota Forerunner, dark color, they hit him and then proceeded to stop right here and check their vehicle, and not call 911 and not go to make sure it wasn’t an animal or a human being at first, you know, they just left him there,” she said.

    Florida Highway Patrol recently released pictures from a surveillance camera at a RaceTrack gas station less than a quarter mile from where Daniel’s body was found. Troopers are looking for the driver of the Toyota Forerunner in these photos.

    “We have to get the word out so everybody can see this car, we have to find these people,” said Day. “My kids, that’s the only Christmas present they need is to find the person that did this.”

    Avena’s kids, Daniel and Lyric, say their dad deserves justice, and they deserve peace to grieve, because now all they have are memories.

    “One thing I’m really grateful for is he gave us the same smile, that gummy smile he had, just that fills a room, fills the world honestly, that’s something I won’t ever forget and when I wake up and look in the mirror, that’s what I still see and I’m so grateful for that,” said Avena’s son Daniel.

    “I know him, he wouldn’t want us to stay sad all the time, he’d want us to laugh and he’s probably sitting up there laughing about how much attention he’s getting,” said Lyric.

    Erin says she’ll keep fighting for Bernie, and as for whoever is responsible for his death, “I know they’re watching. I know they see these posters. I know they know what they did now, turn yourself in, give us some peace please.”

    If you have any information about this investigation, you can call *FHP or Crime Stoppers.

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  • Foster Power app helps youth in foster care around Florida

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    SAFETY HARBOR, Fla. — A local attorney is helping foster children across the state find the answers to all of their legal questions with the Foster Power app. It’s the only app of its kind, and has the potential to help thousands of foster kids who otherwise may not have the opportunity to even talk to an attorney.

    What You Need To Know

    • Foster Power is a free app that easily explains all the benefits, protections and legal rights for children in foster care.

    • Florida is one of 13 states with no universal right to counsel for children in foster care

    • There are plans to expand the app nationally


    Foster Power is free and easily explains all the benefits, protections and legal rights for children in foster care.

    “For instance, you can go to the ‘all about court’ page, you can go on this page and see a chart of who is in the courtroom, the types of case plans you may have, and goals, and here you can type in where your case plan is working towards,” explained Taylor Sartor.

    Sartor is a senior staff attorney at the L. David Shear Children’s Law Center, where she represents youth in foster care. She says that during a fellowship with Equal Justice Works, she realized how many legal questions children in foster care have, so she created a place they can easily find answers.

    “Kids in foster care, they have so many things happening to them when they’ve been taken from their families and they’re put in a system that is very confusing,” she said. “It can be very isolating and there’s not someone there to explain what their rights are.”

    Nicolaus Reynolds is one of her clients. He was put in the foster care system twice when he was younger.

    “Throughout foster care, I dealt with quite a bit of stress, abuse, neglect. (The) foster care system in Florida really isn’t that great; however, I was lucky enough to be assigned an attorney, and that has helped quite a bit,” he said.

    He says friends in foster care who didn’t receive any legal advice didn’t have as positive of an outcome as him, and he thinks an app like Foster Power will help.

    “Even now at 21 years old, still struggling with some things, but having an attorney is one of the best things I’ve had because I know a little bit about the law, but I don’t know everything,” he said. “However, through my time in foster care and the guidance of my attorney, Miss Sartor, I was lucky enough to actually understand what was going on.”

    Which is Sartor’s goal with this app — connecting children in the foster system with the information and programs available to them with one simple download. 

    Sartor is currently working on expanding the app nationally.

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  • Students inducted into John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The global aerospace industry is projected to grow significantly, with estimates ranging from more than $400 billion this year to upwards of $1 trillion in 10 years.

    As that growth continues, Hillsborough County Public Schools is making sure students are ready.

    What You Need To Know

    • On Friday, 70 students from Stewart Middle Magnet School were inducted into the John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society 

    • Stewart Middle Magnet School is a NASA Explorer STEM school

    • Students heard from a Blue Origin representative and a real astronaut


    On Friday, students from Stewart Middle Magnet School were inducted into the John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society at the St. Pete Museum of History.

    The students were already comfortable in their blue flight suits.

    “We want them to start training early, in terms of their interests, so they can start learning more — maybe taking more advanced classes when they get to high school, and kind of preparing them for the future in the areas of STEM because it’s very desperately needed in our country,” said Stewart Middle Magnet School lead teacher emeritus Lynn McDaniel.

    McDaniel said the school is a NASA Explorer STEM school, and regardless of where students interests may lie, teaching them about STEM and how it’s used in space provides options.

    “I like space, but I prefer the ground more,” eighth grader Grayson Luke said. “I’m more interested in engineering and how everything works.”

    Students even heard from a Blue Origin representative and a real astronaut, Nicole Stott. And even for students like Grayson who prefer to be firmly planted on Earth, McDaniel said the opportunities are endless.

    “There’s careers in aerospace for them, they don’t all have to be astronauts,” McDaniel said. “There’s engineering, there’s space medicine, so we’re giving them experiences in all of that.”

    McDaniel  said she hopes experiences like Friday’s will encourage students to later pursue careers that are out of this world.

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  • Students inducted into John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The global aerospace industry is projected to grow significantly, with estimates ranging from more than $400 billion this year to upwards of $1 trillion in 10 years.

    As that growth continues, Hillsborough County Public Schools is making sure students are ready.

    What You Need To Know

    • On Friday, 70 students from Stewart Middle Magnet School were inducted into the John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society 

    • Stewart Middle Magnet School is a NASA Explorer STEM school

    • Students heard from a Blue Origin representative and a real astronaut


    On Friday, students from Stewart Middle Magnet School were inducted into the John Glenn Top Gun Academy Aerospace Honor Society at the St. Pete Museum of History.

    The students were already comfortable in their blue flight suits.

    “We want them to start training early, in terms of their interests, so they can start learning more — maybe taking more advanced classes when they get to high school, and kind of preparing them for the future in the areas of STEM because it’s very desperately needed in our country,” said Stewart Middle Magnet School lead teacher emeritus Lynn McDaniel.

    McDaniel said the school is a NASA Explorer STEM school, and regardless of where students interests may lie, teaching them about STEM and how it’s used in space provides options.

    “I like space, but I prefer the ground more,” eighth grader Grayson Luke said. “I’m more interested in engineering and how everything works.”

    Students even heard from a Blue Origin representative and a real astronaut, Nicole Stott. And even for students like Grayson who prefer to be firmly planted on Earth, McDaniel said the opportunities are endless.

    “There’s careers in aerospace for them, they don’t all have to be astronauts,” McDaniel said. “There’s engineering, there’s space medicine, so we’re giving them experiences in all of that.”

    McDaniel  said she hopes experiences like Friday’s will encourage students to later pursue careers that are out of this world.

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  • Tampa Bay Tech has county’s first veterinary surgical suite

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay Tech’s Academy of Veterinary Science offers one of the best veterinary assisting programs in the state, and it’s the only Hillsborough County Public School to have a fully operational veterinary surgical suite.

    On Wednesday, students assisted with the first surgery in the new surgical suite.

    What You Need To Know

    • Tampa Bay Tech is the only Hillsborough County Public School to have a fully operational veterinary surgical suite

    • Students assist veterinarians in surgeries in the suite

    • Bluey is the first patient in the brand new veterinary surgical suite at the high school; the majority of his caretakers today are high school seniors


    Bluey is a cute, rambunctious 2-year-old dog who currently calls the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center home. He didn’t know what he was in for at Tampa Bay Technical High School on Wednesday, but he stayed in good spirits.

    “We’re doing a surgery today, we’re doing a spay and a neuter from two dogs from the pet resource center. So we’re basically just helping them out with that, and it’s a nice learning opportunity for us,” said Sara Peachey, a senior at Tampa Bay Tech.

    Bluey is the first patient in the brand new veterinary surgical suite at the high school. The majority of his caretakers are high school seniors, enrolled in the Academy of Veterinary Science, with two veterinarians looking on and performing the actual surgeries.

    “I know our veterinary field is starting to decrease in numbers, so literally showing the future of like, ‘Hey this is the risk, rewards and benefits of the field.’ Hopefully they can take that and excel within that,” said Micaela Spatola, the vet assisting instructor.

    Students assist veterinarians in surgeries in the suite. (Spectrum News/Fallon Silcox)

    Spatola said giving students this hands on experience is part of what makes this program stand out —  students not only graduate with their high school diploma, but they also have a 93% pass rate on the Certified Veterinary Assistant Test. She said she is very proud of her students today.

    “My heart exploded. My kids were very nervous and I just said, ‘You know what, you’re going to be nervous but that’s a good thing because you know that you’re going to be on your toes and you know that you care about this,’” she said.

    Sade Young said she never thought she’d be assisting in veterinary surgeries while she’s still in high school.

    “Honestly, it’s awesome, because in high school you think you wouldn’t do too much, you think it’s like a regular program, but the fact that you can do certain labs, work with animals, learn about new stuff, it’s really just amazing,” Young said.

    Tampa Bay Tech received a grant from the State’s Department of Education for the surgical suite. (Spectrum News/Fallon Silcox)

    Tampa Bay Tech received a grant from the State’s Department of Education for the surgical suite. (Spectrum News/Fallon Silcox)

    By the end of the school year, after these students hopefully ace the CVA exam, they could be caring for your furry family members at a veterinary clinic near you. 

    Tampa Bay Tech received a grant from the State’s Department of Education for the surgical suite. The CAP grant is meant to help schools create or expand career and technical education programs that lead to industry certifications.  

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  • Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office increases e-bike enforcement in Fish Hawk

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    LITHIA, Fla. — Spectrum News first told you about the issues some Fish Hawk residents are having with teens riding electric powered bicycles and scooters dangerously through the neighborhood a few weeks ago when a mother started a petition for more e-bike education for students.

    What You Need To Know

    • After receiving numerous calls for service, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced it is increasing e-bike enforcement in Fish Hawk

    • In a statement, the office said, “Deputies assigned to the area are actively working on the problem, emphasizing education for both children and parents through phone calls when stops are made. Additionally, we are coordinating with specialized units, including our motor and bike units, to assist as needed”

    • Jessica Goldstein’s next step is to contact county commissioners about possibly writing a new ordinance regarding e-bikes


    Now, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is stepping in, announcing it is increasing e-bike enforcement in the community, not only for teens but for parents, too.

    Despite their spooky dance routine, the Fish Hawk “Mombies” say what’s really scaring them lately is how they see kids riding their e-bikes and e-scooters around the neighborhood.

    “They are horrifically dangerous. The poor kids on these don’t know the rules of the road. They’re pulling out in front of traffic. They have no clue, just that middle school, early high school, ‘I’m invincible’ mentality, and they don’t look,” said Melanie Bosley.

    Bosley is a member of the “Mombies.” They’ll be performing a dance routine as part of a fundraiser for metastatic breast cancer research. She is also a nurse and says she is seeing more young people as patients recently who’ve been seriously injured on e-bikes.

    She is glad the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up patrols.

    “I think that’s great,” said Bosley. “I think it’s accountability, I think it’s a good way to teach the kids that one, there are rules to the road, and two, you’re not invincible, and as a nurse, a helmet’s a must.”

    That’s part of the message the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is trying to get across. In a statement, the office said, “Deputies assigned to the area are actively working on the problem, emphasizing education for both children and parents through phone calls when stops are made. Additionally, we are coordinating with specialized units, including our motor and bike units, to assist as needed.”

    Deputies even met with residents outside a community meeting to explain the increased enforcement. “It’s a community problem, and the community needs to also step up. We’re here and we’re doing more enforcement,” said Master Sgt. H. Bashner.

    Jessica Goldstein launched a petition for more education in schools on e-bike safety. She says that deputies increasing enforcement is a step in the right direction. “I’m glad that they are. Something needs to be done besides what’s going on right now.”

    Goldstein’s next step is to contact county commissioners about possibly writing a new ordinance regarding e-bikes.  

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  • Special needs rights group seeks uniform PIP in Hillsborough schools

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Project ABA Rights is asking Hillsborough County School Board members to write an official PIP, or Private Instructional Personnel, policy.

    They say this will ensure consistency across all Hillsborough County Schools when it comes to students receiving personal therapy while at school, like Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for students diagnosed with autism.

    What You Need To Know

    • Project ABA Rights is advocating for a uniform Private Instructional Personnel policy in Hillsborough County

    • They say this will ensure consistency across all Hillsborough County Schools when it comes to students receiving personal therapy while at school, like ABA Therapy

    • Hillsborough County Schools says its current policy is in line with state statute and that they have worked with ABA Rights to make access easier


    “For us, ABA therapy has been absolutely life changing for my son,” said Tamara Perez, founder of Project ABA Rights. 

    Perez’s son Grayson is now 11 years old, in fifth grade, and thriving. She first started Project ABA Rights after seeing how difficult it was advocating for her own son to get the help he needed in school.

    “Hillsborough County is the third largest district in the state of Florida, they have over 230 school sites and that is a lot to manage, so I think with a policy in place we can get more consistency across all school sites,” she said.

    Perez says right now, depending on the school, the process to get private providers in classrooms can be very difficult for families, and can take a long time to be approved. Perez says a district wide policy would solve that. 

    “We’re going to band together again and go speak out at the school board meeting tomorrow and ask the school board to write an official school board policy for private providers in Hillsborough County,” she said.

    Colleen Lama owns Lama Pediatric Therapy. Many of her ABA therapists work with their clients in Hillsborough County Schools, including Amy Purcell. 

    “Some of the schools have been super accommodating to us, without any issues, and some of them have been accommodating at first, and then they want us out as soon as possible, it depends on the school,” said Purcell.

    They both say a countywide policy would help.

    “I think it’s really important for them to all be held to the same standard and accountability so that no matter where you’re zoned to go to school you’re able to access that care,” said Lama.

    Which is also Perez’s goal—to help make sure all students receive the support they need to succeed, just like Grayson.

    “I attribute so much of his success, I don’t know where we would be, he would be a completely different child if we didn’t have his therapist with him at school. I just want parents to have the same opportunity,” she said.

    Project ABA Rights will speak during public comment at Tuesday’s school board meeting. 

    Hillsborough County Schools issued the following statement: “Our policy is in line with state statute. We have worked with the ABA Rights group to design a process to make access easier. We continue to work with our schools to have uniformity, and when there is an issue, we work to address it.”

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  • Pinellas County Schools considers piloting weapon detections system

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    LARGO, Fla. — Weapon detection systems are being used in all sorts of venues now, and Pinellas County Schools could be next.

    On Tuesday, school board members discussed launching a pilot program to see how a weapon detection system may help improve security within the district.

    What You Need To Know

    • School board members discussed launching a pilot program to see how a weapon detection system may help improve security

    • If it moves forward, the district would select two schools to put the weapon detection devices at, then see how it goes

    • Superintendent Kevin Hendrick says funding would come from capital funds and would be covered by grants


    Within the next month or so, the district will decide on whether to proceed with the pilot program. If it moves forward, the district would select two schools to put the weapon detection devices at, then see how it goes.

    Pinellas County School Board members heard from the district’s chief operations officer and the director of safety and security, Sean Jowell, presenting their plans for a weapons detection pilot program.

    “Technology that allows to alert our staff that someone may potentially have a weapon on their person before entering into one of our campuses across the district,” said Jowell.

    Jowell said he visited Sarasota and Manatee County schools where similar weapons detection systems are already being used. While he didn’t say if this is exactly how they would look in Pinellas, Jowell did say the program runs very smoothly in those districts.

    “To see that it was not intrusive, it allowed students to get to their classes for first bell, and still alert to certain objects that may or may not be a dangerous weapon coming onto campus gave us a greater sense that this technology may be a beneficial layer to our current security protocols, or it may not,” he said.

    Board member Lisa Cane did question why now. “In past years, it was actually recommended not to do this, so you can let everyone know what has changed? What is the primary reason for the change that it is now a recommendation, and what do we think we’ll gain as a district because of this?” she asked.

    Jowell said advances in technology have calmed previous concerns — such as using artificial intelligence to determine exactly which area on a person something is detected. Ultimately, he said this is all about adding an extra layer of protection.

    “The schools are not ever going to look or feel like a prison, but we want to do as much as we can to ensure that they are going to school and coming home every afternoon,” said Jowell.

    If the district moves forward with the pilot program, two schools would be selected to test them out, and the systems would be placed in March. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said funding would come from capital funds and would be covered by grants.

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  • School bus turned ‘Innovation Lab’ visits Pinellas County middle schoolers

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    DUNEDIN, Fla. — It’s a decommissioned school bus turned mobile science lab, and it will be traveling to middle schools all over Pinellas County.

    Pinellas County Schools designed the “Innovation Lab” to give all seventh-graders an opportunity to do hands-on STEM activities outside the classroom. It’s all part of the district’s push to improve the middle school experience.

    What You Need To Know

    • Pinellas County Schools turned a decommissioned school bus into a mobile science lab called the “Innovation Lab”

    • The bus will travel to all Pinellas County middle schools, giving students an opportunity to do hands-on STEM activities 

    • The Innovation Lab is part of the district’s push to improve the middle school experience


    The Innovation Lab school bus looks a lot different than it used to after employees from 11 different departments worked on renovating it, turning it into a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory, bringing hands-on activities to students.

    “They’re going to use robots, they’re going to do 3D printing. They get to experience thermoplastics and different dynamics with heat,” said Stephanie Hornick, the middle school science specialist.

    “It really gives them a chance for that lab experience, and hands-on experience that they don’t always get in class.”

    She said as the name implies, Pinellas County Schools is focused on providing innovative ways for students, specifically middle school students, to learn.

    “Mr. Hendrick really challenged us to rethink middle school in Pinellas County and what we’re doing for middle school students to be more innovative and give them opportunities to really think outside of the classroom, and that’s where this was born from,” said Hornick.

    The Innovation Lab will visit every middle school in the county, reaching more than 5,200 seventh graders. (Spectrum Bay News 9/Fallon Silcox)

    At the Innovation Lab, students do things like building obstacle courses, then programming robots to successfully move through them. Inside the bus, students move through three stations.

    Liam Ray, a seventh-grader at Dunedin Highland Middle School, said he would take a day on the innovation lab over sitting in science class anytime.

    “Science classroom is mainly taking notes, while this, you get to do a lot of fun things and learn a lot of new stuff,” he said.

    Which Hornick said is the goal.

    “Middle school is a tough age, it’s a tough group, and they don’t always love school as much in middle school,” she said. “So, we wanted to find what’s going to get them to want to come to school, what’s going to get them excited about school, and for me, what’s going to get them excited about science.”

    She hopes that eventually, that excitement leads these students to successful STEM careers. 

    The Innovation Lab will visit every middle school in the county, reaching more than 5,200 seventh graders. The district also has special science and STEM programs for sixth and eighth grade.

    A grant provided the funding for the Innovation Lab.

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  • Hillsborough College partners with Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough College has partnered with Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center, and while it’s not a monetary partnership, it does end up saving the county shelter some money.

    What You Need To Know

    • Students enrolled in Hillsborough College’s Veterinary Technician Program assist at Hillsborough County’s Pet Resource Center weekly

    • Students earn their clinical hours assisting, and it frees up shelter employees to help more animals

    • Ginette Campos is the veterinary practice manager. She says during peak months, the shelter has upwards of 500 animals to care for


    Students enrolled in the Veterinary Technician Program visit the Pet Resource Center weekly, assisting with exams and treatments for 8-10 animals each time, and with a packed shelter, it’s all hands on deck.

    Anthony Spatola worked at the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center as a vet tech himself several years ago. Now he’s back, this time instructing his students from Hillsborough College.

    “What these animals at the shelter need to get adopted if they’re already spayed or neutered is a physical exam, rabies vaccine, heartworm test, they get preventatives and vaccines, so whatever they need at that time, we’re going to perform,” he said.

    Students take what they’ve learned in the classroom and put it into action here, helping shelter animals, which in turn, frees up staff to care for additional pets.

    Ginette Campos is the veterinary practice manager. She says during peak months, the shelter has upwards of 500 animals to care for.

    “It definitely alleviates a little bit of our work load at animal services, mainly our department because they’re helping us to perform some vaccines, some treatments for the animals that need it,” Campos said. “And if they were not being done by the students, we would have to do it at animal services, which is great. They’re helping us, we’re helping them.”

    Students like Italianna Anderson say helping here is a dream come true, as she has always wanted to work with animals.

    “It’s different when you’re looking at a textbook versus actually being hands-on and doing things. It’s been very interesting and very fun, and I’m excited to jump in and do everything,” she said.  

    Hillsborough College just resumed this partnership. They had stopped bringing students to the shelter during the pandemic, but started the program back up within the last year. They plan on keeping it going, and even growing it next year.

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