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Hillsborough schools vie for grant

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By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: May 19, 2009

The Hillsborough County School District is among 10 finalists for a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In a letter sent to employees last week, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said the grant "has the potential to help us raise the pay of our district's teachers."

The foundation will fly district officials to Seattle on Aug. 5 to present the proposals for what Elia called "a multiyear substantial partnership."

"The Gates Foundation's goal is to ensure that 90 percent of all students graduate college/career ready," Elia wrote.

"The purpose of this partnership is to achieve that goal by recognizing that teachers are the most essential factor in raising student achievement," she wrote.

Elia said the foundation researched more than 15,000 districts nationwide and interviewed 20.

Among proposals for increased teacher pay, the foundation wants districts to develop better measures of teacher effectiveness and place effective teachers where they are needed most.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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