District leaders hope money will help raise schools' grades

TAMPA -- The county's four lowest-rated schools are getting extra teachers, training, materials -- and even backpacks -- as part of the school system's plans to improve student test scores.

The district has committed to spending $403,794 at Lockhart, Oak Park, Robles and Shaw elementaries, the first schools in Hillsborough to be graded "F" by the state.

School officials said they feel confident the funding, along with organizational changes made at the schools, will boost student achievement.

"These are additional funds," said Joyce Haines, Hillsborough's director of elementary education. "This is the district's investment in these schools."

The School Board on Tuesday approved the improvement plans for the four schools, which will now be submitted to the state.

Initiatives under way include awards to families who support their children's academics, wireless computer labs and new in-school suspension teachers.

Other efforts include:

-- Assigning two additional teachers at Shaw to reduce class size.

-- Training parents of Robles students to help their children in math.

-- Extending media hours at Lockhart to give families and children access to books after school hours.

Board members praised the efforts to improve the schools, where students could receive private school vouchers if they receive another "F" this school year.

"The schools are lucky to have this much time and money going to them," said board member Carolyn Bricklemyer.

In other business, the board named three schools in the southern part of the county.

A new Valrico school will be named Nelson Elementary in honor of three former educators who are sisters: LaVerne, Linwood and Mable Nelson. A new elementary in the south Riverview area will be named after former state legislator Terrell Sessums, and a new Valrico middle school will be named in honor of Martin M. Mulrennan, patriarch of a Brandon farming family.

-- Melanie Ave can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or melanie@sptimes.com.

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