Hillsborough County School Superintendent Addison Davis announced Tuesday an increase in teacher salaries on the same day teachers protested nearly 800 jobs that will be cut.
Davis held a news conference to explain how pay will rise $6,900 a year while others are losing their jobs.
“It is the right thing to do for our entire district,” he said at the news conference.
He later added on Facebook, “These pay raises come at a time when we face difficult budget decisions. Despite the challenges, we have been able to develop a plan that both increases teacher pay – and – is fiscally responsible. I want to thank the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association for its hard work with our team. This process has not been easy, but it was necessary to ensure we live within our means and provide supports and resources for our classrooms.”
As Davis announced the raises, teachers and others on social media had mixed opinions.
“Teachers are the frontline workers of education. Teachers are the ones that make differences, not the leaders.” said Wesley Mejia, a Pierce Middle School band director.
USF student volunteers step up to help the Tampa Bay homeless
COVID-19 brought life to a halt for many people around the world. People were left without jobs, food and even shelter. USF student volunteers now are a part of a nonprofit called Project Downtown trying to do something.
The work is being done despite limitations placed on all USF students because the pandemic.
“We are unable to go downtown. We are unable to feed them, especially with the USF policies as a student organization. It brings risk to our volunteers, our board members and even the people downtown.” said Bissan Mustafa, Project Downtown president.
Project Downtown is trying to negotiate an agreement with The University of South Florida that will allow them to get back into the community and help the people in need.
The organization launched an online fundraising campaign where they plan to collect donations to buy necessities for the homeless when they get approval. Anyone interested in making a donation can go online and give to the cause.
Pinellas Health Department holds annual BooFlu to boost immunization
The Health Department in Pinellas County is bringing back its annual BooFlu event where it will offer a flu vaccination for adults and children over three at no cost.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, in St. Petersburg: 205 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N.
Wednesday, Oct. 21, in Mid-County: 8751 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
Thursday, Oct. 22, in Clearwater: 310 N. Myrtle Ave.
County employees will host the event from 5-7 p.m.
The vaccine will be first-come, first-served, while supplies last. Visit their website for Immunization Registration/Release Forms.
Credits
Anchors: Bryony Deighton, Dylan Zuccarello
Reporters: Diana Halum
Producer: Carla Ibanez
Associate Producer: Ta’Bria Snowden
Writers: Nicholas Cousineau, Gabriel Castro
Graphics editors: Alexandra Rodriguez
Video Editors: Nicholas Cousineau, Gabriel Castro
Show Editors: David Jones
Web Editor/Social Media Producer: Bryony Deighton
Graduate Assistant: Emmanuel Maduneme
Faculty Adviser: Jeanette Abrahamsen, Wayne Garcia
