Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 8-5-16 Online Edition

School District News
Superintendent: 40 Schools On State List Of Failing Schools Misleading
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last month, the Florida Department of Education re- leased school grades for the past school year. The organiza- tion also released the names of what is considered the 300 lowest performing schools in the state.
There were 40 Hillsbor- ough County schools on the list. However, Jeff Eakins,
Hillsborough County School Superintendent explained that there are 40 schools in this County on the list, but the list is misleading.
“This is the first year the schools were graded under the new grading system and over- all we are heading in a good di- rection. Our grades overall were extremely better than they were last year.
“The 300 lowest perform- ing schools on the state list
JEFF EAKENS Superintendent, Hillsborough County
Public School District
were only graded in one area and that was Reading. But, there are several categories, such as math, science, etc., the schools are graded on so that list is sort of misleading. In Hillsborough County there were only 7 regular schools and 1 charter school that re- ceived a grade of “F”, and we are working on improving
those grades.”
Superintendent Eakins
said the schools that received the low grades will also receive additional resources and will have an extra hour of Reading. “We are concentrating on those schools and providing them with all of the necessary tools they will need to be suc- cessful,” he said.
Hillsborough School District Area Directors
Harrison Peters, newly hired Hillsborough County School District Chief of Schools, is shown with the Area Directors. Shown from left to right on the first row are: Lisa Yost, Shaylia McRae, Michelle Fitzgerald, Dr. Sharon Morris, and Dr. Anna Brown. Shown standing left to right are: Marcos Murillo, Donnell Un- derdue, Harrison Peters, and Owen Young.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Earlier this year, Superin- tendent Jeff Eakins required all of his cabinet members to reapply for their jobs. The em- ployees underwent a strenuous interview process and some were replaced.
Last month, Hillsborough County School District Super- intendent Eakins released the names of the eight individuals who will lead his initiative to in- corporate the community into the school district.
The positions also underwent a name change from Area Direc- tors to Area Superintendents. They are:
Area 1 --- Ms. Lisa Yost,
56, became an Area Director in 2009, after serving as Principal of Grady and Cannella Elemen- tary Schools.
Area 2 --- Marcos Murillo, 40, served as Principal of Webb Middle School before being named Area Director.
Area 3 --- Dr. Anna Brown, 48, served as Principal of Clark and Belle Witter Ele- mentary Schools. She also served as the Chief Information and Technology Officer.
Area 4 --- Donell Under- due, Jr., 48, is new to the Hills- borough County School District. He left Chicago, where he served as Chief of Schools, to accept this position.
Area 5 --- Dr. Michelle Fitzgerald, 45, is also new to the area. She left Elmurst, Illi- nois as Assistant Superintendent to accept this position.
Area 6 --- Sharon Morris,
57, served as the Principal of Freedom High School. She has been a member of the Hillsbor- ough County School District for the past 28 years.
Area 7 --- Owen Young,
45, served as the Principal of Middleton High School before being promoted in 2014. He will also oversee the Elevate Schools Program. The Elevate Schools are: B. T. Washington, Edison, Miles, and Potter Elementary; McLane and Sligh Middle; and Sulphur Springs K-8 School. His goal is to break down barriers that prevents students from ex- celling.
Area 8 --- Ms. Shaylia McRae, 39, became a member of the school district in 1999. At the age of 31, she was promoted to the position of Principal of Martinez Middle School.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016