School days could add up to 184

With additional money, Hillsborough school officials see an opportunity to extend the academic year by four days.

By SARAH SCHWEITZER

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 5, 2000

TAMPA -- With an expected 7.6 percent increase in state funding for the next school year, Hillsborough County school officials have set their sights on keeping students in classrooms longer.

A much-discussed plan to add four days to the school year is now a very real possibility with additional money dangling above the district's coffers.

"Part of the hang-up has been whether we could afford the four extra days," said Hillsborough County schools spokesman Mark Hart. "Now it appears we will be able to do it."

In doing so, Hillsborough joins hundreds of other districts across the country in inching away from the traditional 180-day school year in the interest of avoiding memory loss over the summer and bolstering overall instruction time.

Under the budget nearing approval by the Legislature today, Hillsborough County schools will get $802.1-million in state funds for operating costs, an increase of $56.6-million from last year.

More than two-thirds of the district's budget comes from the state.

The district will also get additional money to extend the school year at three underperforming elementary schools.

Students at Sulphur Springs Elementary, Oak Park Elementary and Robles Elementary schools would go to school for 210 days rather than 180 days under a state-wide $11-million program.

Three Pinellas schools, Frontier Elementary, Gulfport Elementary and Maximo Elementary, are also among 21 schools in nine counties selected to participate in the three-year pilot program.

The aim of the program is to shore up performance at the schools by offering more instruction time. The program could be extended beyond three years if test scores at the schools show improvement, said Connie Milito, Hillsborough's director of governmental relations.

For principals of participating schools, news of the Legislature's approval of the money for the program has been cause for joy.

"I'm just happy I'm one of the schools," said Sharon Jackson, principal of Gulfport Elementary School in Pinellas County. "I think this will help our kids academically and behaviorally. I think it will make a difference."

Rosa Martin, principal of Oak Park Elementary School in Hillsborough County, said, "I'm very excited because this will give our children more time to achieve the benchmarks."

Sulphur Springs Elementary, Oak Park Elementary, Robles Park Elementary and Gulfport Elementary schools earned D's last year under Gov. Jeb Bush's A-Plus Plan. Frontier Elementary and Maximo Elementary schools earned C's.

Hart said the four additional days that all students will likely have to attend are expected to be Nov. 22, Dec. 21 and 22 and April 17.

The days could be added as soon as next year, assuming the School Board approves the move and the teachers' union agrees to the added work days.

-- Staff writer Kelly Ryan contributed to this report.

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