TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

PrincipalToTakeDistrictJob

ADVERTISEMENT

By RONNIE BLAIR rblair@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 25, 2009

DADE CITY - Leila Mizer, who has been principal at Cox Elementary for 13 years, will be leaving the school to take a position at the district offices in Land O' Lakes.

Superintendent Heather Fiorentino said Tuesday that details are still being worked out on Mizer's new job and there is no timeline for her move from Cox, which has struggled under the state's accountability system.

The decision came during a conversation between Fiorentino and Mizer. Fiorentino said the principal told her that "13 years is long enough."

"We will use her skills in a different area," Fiorentino said. "Sometimes you have to let someone else go in and try."

Cox has been one of Pasco County's schools that had the most difficulty under the state's accountability system, pulling in D's or C's when school grades came out. The school also is in one of the district's most economically disadvantaged areas, with nearly all of the 544 students qualifying for the free and reduced-price meal program.

Cox also is under its first year of restructuring under the No Child Left Behind Act because it has consistently come up short in meeting the federal government's requirements for showing adequate yearly progress. The district took several steps this year to try to make improvements.

Mizer could not be reached for comment.

What new job Mizer will take depends on openings and the budget, but she has experience with Title I and with exceptional student education, Assistant Superintendent Dave Scanga said. She also once worked in human resources.

Mizer, 57, has a "personal timeline" for retirement, he said, and that's why she isn't transferring to be principal at another school.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT