Education

Schools, school board news, academics and student achievements

Hillsborough Schools Bring Vape Sensors to Middle and K-8 Bathrooms

The district is expanding HALO Smart Sensors beyond high schools after logging more than 1,000 vaping referrals in a single year, but hasn't said which schools, how many devices, or what it costs.

Sep 53 min read

Education

Hillsborough Schools Launch Free Full-Day VPK, Paid for by 2024 Tax Referendum

For the first time, Hillsborough County Public Schools is covering the full school day for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten at no cost to families, using money from the millage referendum voters approved in 2024.

Sep 43 min read

Education

Hillsborough Schools Lost 2,650 Students This Fall, Reopening a $25 Million Budget Gap

Nine days into the school year, Hillsborough County Public Schools counted 165,330 students, thousands fewer than projected, putting state funding and this year's budget back in question.

Aug 304 min read

Education

Hillsborough College Shows Off First Renderings of a Rebuilt Dale Mabry Campus for Rays Stadium District

Six conceptual images released Wednesday show new classrooms, a library and learning commons, and walkable outdoor space anchoring the "Innovation Edge" sector of the proposed Rays stadium district, as trustees approved early planning contracts and $50 million in state money.

Aug 293 min read

Education

Two Hillsborough School Board Seats Go to November, With a Residency Question Trailing One Candidate

Daniela Simic and Brittany Lyssy advance in District 2, while board chair Karen Perez fell two points short of winning outright and now faces Kenneth Gay countywide on Nov. 3.

Aug 234 min read

Education

Wimauma Is Hillsborough Schools' Fastest-Growing Zone, and 16 of the District's Next 18 Schools Are Headed South

Classes start Monday, Aug. 10, and South Hillsborough campuses are again absorbing more students than they were built for. The district's long-range plan calls for 18 new schools in 15 years, 16 of them in the south county, and the next one in Wimauma is still a year out.

Aug 44 min read

Education

Hillsborough Reopens Its Leggings Ban After Parent Backlash, With a New Vote Tuesday and School Starting Aug. 10

The school board unanimously agreed to revisit a new dress code rule that bars leggings and spandex unless covered to mid-thigh. A follow-up vote is set for Tuesday, Aug. 4, six days before Hillsborough students return to class.

Jul 293 min read

Education

Free Backpacks Across Tampa Before Aug. 10: Where Hillsborough Families Can Get School Supplies for Nothing

Hillsborough's 19th Annual Back to School Fair moves to Citrus Park Town Center on Aug. 1 with free backpacks for the first 1,000 students — and it's one of several free giveaways across Tampa in the days before the Aug. 10 first day.

Jul 243 min read

Education

Hillsborough Schools Cut Screen-Time Apps in K-2 Classrooms — Printed Books and Conversation Return

The district is dropping adaptive learning apps like i-Ready, Amira and Imagine Learning from daily K-2 instruction, replacing tablet time with reading, writing and hands-on activities as the Aug. 10 first day nears.

Jul 183 min read