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Schools

School calendar will see changes

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 12, 2006

PINELLAS COUNTY - A new state law that pushes the start of school closer to Labor Day has prompted Pinellas officials to change the public school calendar for 2007-08. The School Board is expected to approve the changes today. The highlights:

First day of school - This year: Aug. 8; next year: Aug. 21

Thanksgiving week - This year: No school all week for students; next year: No change.

First semester ends -This year: Dec. 22; next year: Jan. 18

Winter holiday - This year: Dec. 22-Jan. 8; next year: Dec. 24-Jan. 4

First semester final exams - This year: Dec. 19-21; next year: Jan. 15-17

Spring holiday - This year: March 26-30; next year: March 31-April 4

Final exams - This year: May 16-18; next year: June 3

Last day of school - This year: May 18; next year: June 3

Graduation ceremonies -This year: May 18-22; next year: June 3-5

Planning board okays Wiregrass Ranch

The Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council voted 33-6 Monday to approve Wiregrass Ranch as a "development of regional impact," paving the way for Pasco County commissioners to issue the green light for the 5,100-acre, 13,500-home development.

On Monday, some council members, notably Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlita, had reservations with Wiregrass' traffic impact.

Official may carry gun, but not into meetings

TAMPA - Hillsborough County Commissioner and former Tampa City Council member Kevin White can carry a gun in the County Center as long as he doesn't bring it to commission meetings, according to Hillsborough County attorney Renee Lee, despite the "no weapons" signs near the Center's doors.

"There is no prohibition in the statute against a licensee with a concealed weapon or firearm, from coming into County Center and going to the tax office to renew his/her auto tags," Lee wrote Monday in a memo to White.

Elsewhere

HOLIDAY WAL-MART: Pasco County officials will review Wal-Mart's proposed supercenter at State Road 54 and Grand Boulevard today. Neighbors fear the supercenter will snarl traffic, but Wal-Mart has promised to spend more than $4.1-million to accommodate the traffic it will draw.

ELECTION DISPUTE: A daylong hearing Monday ended with no indication of who will take Hernando County's District 2 commission seat. Former Commissioner Hannah "Nancy" Robinson argues that Rose Rocco is not eligible to take office because she didn't live in the Spring Hill district on Election Day.

[Last modified December 12, 2006, 11:16:32]