Adding classroom wings to schools a possibility

By AMBER MOBLEY
Published February 16, 2007

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The Hillsborough County School District has scheduled a community meeting for Monday to discuss classroom wing additions at seven New Tampa schools.

By 2008, the district plans to install a dozen or more classrooms at Wharton High School; Bartels, Benito and Liberty middle schools; and Clark, Pride and Hunter's Green elementary schools.

While student population growth has generally remained flat, the district needs the new wings to comply with class-size amendment requirements, spokesman Steve Hagerty said.

By 2008, state law will require the following class size restrictions:

-No more than 18 students in kindergarten through third-grade classes.

-No more than 22 students in fourth- through eighth-grade classes.

-No more than 25 students in ninth- through 12th-grade classes.

Although "not ideal," Hagerty said adding wings is cheaper and easier than buying land and building entire schools and also reduces the likelihood of having to transfer students.

The wings should also provide a little wiggle room for future student growth, Hagerty said.

Monday's meeting is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. at Wharton High School, 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd.

In total, the district plans to add wings to 40 schools throughout the county.

The next meeting for the northwest Hillsborough area is scheduled for from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 26 at Gaither High School, 16200 N Dale Mabry.

At that meeting, officials will discuss wing additions to Gaither High School, Martinez Middle School, and Lutz and Maniscalco elementary schools.

Amber Mobley can be reached at amobley@sptimes.com or (813) 269-5311.

High schools

Wharton: 16 classrooms

Gaither: 12 classrooms

Middle schools

Bartels: 16 classrooms

Benito: 12 classrooms

Liberty: 12 classrooms

Martinez: 12 classrooms

Elementary schools

Clark: 12 classrooms

Pride: 12 classrooms

Hunter's Green: 16 classrooms

Lutz: 12 classrooms

Maniscalco: 14 classrooms

Fast Facts:

 

Wing addition meetings

The Hillsborough County School District is holding a community meeting from 5-7 p.m. Monday at Wharton High School, 20150 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., to discuss classroom wing additions at schools in New Tampa.

A second meeting, to discuss Northwest Hillsborough schools, will take place from 5-7 p.m. at Gaither High School, 16200 N Dale Mabry Highway. For more information, call 272-4000.

Planned wing additions