Bay News 9 | by Jason Lanning | April 13, 2021
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Hillsborough County Public Schools is making deep job cuts to avoid the possibility of using bridge loans for payroll and a state takeover of the district.
Last week, Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Superintendent Addison Davis announced 1,083 job cuts at elementary, middle and high schools. Staff members said the district is looking at cutting roughly school-based positions including teachers, aides and administrators.
The announcement came after 30 meetings between district administrators and local schools to determine the cost-saving cuts to programs that are not seeing big student participation. Davis said the district is trying to save millions of dollars to avoid running out of cash.
Elementary schools are roughly losing one to eight positions, with the hardest hit including:
- Oak Park Elementary School: 11 positions
- Mango Elementary School: 10 positions
- Fishhawk Creek Elementary School: 10 positions
Individual high schools, on average, are losing more positions than elementary schools. The biggest cuts include:
- Riverview High School: 20 positions
- Alonso High School: 15 positions
Our partners at the Tampa Bay Times report the cuts will force high schools to be more selective in the elective and specialty courses they offer, while elementary and middle school principals will need to be more creative in scheduling students for P.E., art and music classes.
For more information on cuts at individual schools, visit the Tampa Bay Times.
The school district will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, April 13, at 4 p.m.
Photo: Last week, Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Superintendent Addison Davis announced 1,083 job cuts at elementary, middle and high schools. Staff members said the district is looking at cutting roughly school-based positions including teachers, aides and administrators. (File photo)
