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Officials Hope Promise Of New School Year Fulfilled

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By MICHELE SAGER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 19, 2008

TAMPA - The first day of school meant changes for some of Hillsborough County's struggling sites.

Four schools have been targeted because of low performance and will use this year to turn things around.

Students at the USF/Patel Partnership School came back to a new school name, new teachers and a new approach in the classroom.

"I think it's going to be exciting," said Principal Barbara Ammirati, called out of retirement two weeks ago to head the school. "These youngsters are coming back to a new school."

The former charter school was taken over by the district and turned into a traditional elementary school. Patel was run by the University of South Florida, but charter board members decided to hand over control late last month because they lacked the resources to turn around the school's failing grade.
District staff had eight days to get the school ready.

"When we arrived, the classrooms were in turmoil," said Shari Beaubien, the district's elementary adviser for schools in Patel's area. "Materials we don't use had to be pulled and other items were added."

The district will change the elementary school's math and reading curriculum to align with other district schools. Beaubien said the district's curriculum more closely follows the state standards.

Parents seemed optimistic about the changes.

"Honestly, I'm looking forward to it," said Jessica Hernandez, whose daughter is in kindergarten. "I'm ready for a change in the curriculum."

Shonda Hunte, who has three children attending the school, said she was first attracted to the school because of its small classes and family environment. She has one child in first grade and two in third.

"I don't think that will change, because the building is only so big," she said. "I think the school district can provide resources that weren't available when this was a charter school."

Patel, which expects about 200 students this year, has six new teachers. The other six teachers had to reapply for their jobs. Ammirati is running the school until the district appoints a permanent leader.

Changes are ahead for other district schools that have been targeted by the state. Middleton High, Franklin Middle and Sulphur Springs Elementary were placed on a list for possible closing a year from now because of low performance.

Franklin Middle School

Franklin was graded D the past two years, but school leaders expect a rise in student performance.

About 34 percent of students last year were considered proficient in reading, said school Principal Joseph Brown.

"That won't even be an issue this year," he said. "We're expected to be at 45 percent this year."

He makes that estimation based on a review of students' reading scores in previous years.

"Grades are published and they see the grades," Brown said of the public. "They don't see the story behind the grades."

Superintendent MaryEllen Elia, during a site visit to Franklin on Monday, said math and reading coaches will be on hand to help students improve. The school will also require uniforms and start partnerships with businesses for mentors and tutors.

Parents also need to be more involved, Elia said.

"We need to make sure there is a correlation between their involvement and the students' success," Elia said.

Parent Lashonda Gaines said the problem is with students.

"We have a lot of problem kids in the neighborhoods," Gaines said, whose daughter started eighth grade this year. "The teachers do a lot. As far as the learning and curriculum here, it's a good one. The kids just need to pay attention."

Not all parents have confidence in their schools.

The McCoy sisters reached the conclusion that they like schools with A grades.

So their sons on Monday boarded a school bus for Egypt Lake Elementary rather than attend their neighborhood school, Sulphur Springs.

Sulphur Springs Elementary

The F grade that state school officials tagged Sulphur Springs with was the main reason. It was the second year for the failing grade after four previous years when the school rated Cs.

Reeshemah McCoy's 8-year-old son, Royale, attended Sulphur Springs in past years. But there has been a high turnover in teachers and principals.

"It's hard for the school to educate if you are constantly getting new principals," she said. "Maybe they'll fix it up, but right now we're going to Egypt Lake."

Christi Buell says the challenge of turning around a school in trouble is why she agreed to become Sulphur Springs' principal.

She and her staff have studied the state's data and have a strategy that will focus on identifying and giving extra help to lower achieving students. That could mean extra time on library computers or boosting reading skills.

At minimum, she hopes to raise the school's grade level from F to C by next year and grow from there. But, she said, "We're not looking for quick fixes. I'm not going to put a limit on where we can go. I think we have the right people on board."

Elia said she doesn't consider the schools failing, just targeted. She said existing and new programs will help boost performance. She also visited Middleton on Monday to reassure school staff. The high school has earned a D the past five years.

"Middleton is one of the target schools, and I want to be here to talk to the staff and tell them we will be focusing on this," she said. "This school is not going to close."

Reporters Ellen Gedalius, Kathy Steele and Keith Morelli contributed to this report. Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at msager@tampatrib.com or (813) 865-4843.

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