Posted by  jeff robinson, Florida on 08/29  at  04:06 PM

I totally agree with bob on this one, Hillsborough County has always been this way. Unfourtanetly, it takes somebody getting hurt or killed before anything gets changed.

Posted by  Alicia Sara, Florida on 08/29  at  03:54 PM

This is total B.S. everytime a storm comes through they are so slow to react. They can never make a decision about anything. What are they waiting for? What is it going to take before the school department gets their heads out of their rears? As a parent I am extremely shocked and appauled at the lack of integrity and public planning on the part of the school system and our local legislature!

Posted by  Lakesha Perez, Brandon on 08/29  at  03:52 PM

I agree with Mr. Williamson of Tampa. It is better to be safe than sorry

Posted by  Brenda Hendrick, Seffner on 08/29  at  03:50 PM

I also feel the school board and the county are feeling they have cried “wolf” one to many times but you must take into consideration the welfare of the children and teachersand county workers and regardless of the out come accept the fact that we can not and will never be able predict a storm of any kind atleast not in this life time. so suck-up your pride and close the county or deal with parents keeping kids home and employee calling out sick. That’s what I’m doing regardless

Posted by  ED T. CARPENTER, TAMPA FL on 08/29  at  03:43 PM

the hillsborough county schools should close because one day of school is less important than risking having children hurt!

Posted by  sarah sunspell, tampa, FL on 08/29  at  03:43 PM

I agree with Bob.  MaryEllen is going to learn the hard way one of these days.  We don’t need another bus accident.  How many bus drivers are going to call in sick tomorrow?  Would you risk your life and livelihood driving in that?

Posted by  Paul Sisco, Tampa on 08/29  at  03:41 PM

Stop the hysterics please, Bob.  This is a little summer rain.  Every media outlet with a new toy wants to put a “meteorologist” on a windy dock and scare the bejesus out of the elderly.  This post-Katrina mentality is just a faked concern to get a day off.  Stop already.

Posted by  Kim Gill, Riverview on 08/29  at  03:38 PM

This may not be enough to do dammage, but what parent wants to put their child on a bus in anything worse than a lil summer storm? This storm is still “questionable” as all of them have been!

Posted by  Adam Huckerville, Tampa on 08/29  at  03:29 PM

Hillsborough County better take a better look and the possibilities of this storm and make better juudgement. This thing could change. The need to do to the right thing and get everyone out and safe.

Posted by  Briana Stephens, Tampa, FL on 08/29  at  03:26 PM

I agree with Mr. Williamson. Imagine the complete chaos that can occur if they keep the schools open and then they decide to evacuate when it is too late! That will be a nightmare on the evacuation routes and parents will be terrified with worry!

Posted by  Annette Plew, 3343 pollock ln zephyrhills on 08/29  at  03:23 PM

Play it safe dont wait till the last min. parents have to make arrangments for their children.& as we all know any thing can happen with these storms.

Posted by  Marcus Ellis, tampa on 08/29  at  03:22 PM

i agree. i am a student and i dont feel like waiting for the bus in high winds and tons of rain thank you very much.

Posted by  Annette Plew, pasco county on 08/29  at  03:16 PM

Play it safe CLOSE the school in hills co.Dont wait till the last minute after all parents have to make arrangments for these lil ones…

Posted by  craig orcutt, tampa fl on 08/29  at  03:16 PM

send the kids to school in hillsborough county

Posted by  craig orcutt, tampa fl on 08/29  at  03:15 PM

You need to close the schools in hillsborough county wednesday because kids are gonna be scurred and confused.

Posted by  susan hackney, duette on 08/29  at  02:59 PM

we shouldnt subject our children to going to school in this kind of weather

Posted by  Robert Mahoney, Tampa on 08/29  at  02:58 PM

I fully agree, anyone with a keen eye can see that Ernesto is passing Florida to the West and there is nothing to stop it once it gets out to the Gulf with the exception of the Low there that will redirect it east into the area.  Tampa officials need to realize what they are dealing with and stop thinking that we havent had a hurricane in so many years and that we are immune!

Posted by  Debbie snell, Apollo Beach on 08/29  at  02:55 PM

Bob your right they should no something. Officials wait until the last min to make a decision on school closings. they should of already made a decision.

Posted by  Tara Stremming, Valrico on 08/29  at  02:48 PM

If we are going to have any effects from the storm, school shouldn’t be in session.  It is dangerous whether we are directly hit or not.  I know that when my kids start school and we are going to be in the path of a storm, my kids will not go even if school isn’t cancelled.

Posted by  John Wither, Tampa on 08/29  at  02:48 PM

Come on now guys!  Your county is giving out sandbags, but you arent closing the schools!!??  How odd is that.  I dont think the schools should be open with the mere threat of any type of winds and heavy downpours

Posted by  Jose Perez, Tampa Bay on 08/29  at  02:40 PM

I completly agree with Bob hillsborough county needs to close there schools becuase ernesto is threatening the whole west coast and parts of hillsborough im not sending my kid to school tommorow.

Posted by  bob williamson, tampa on 08/29  at  02:17 PM

the hillsborough county school officials are toatally blind to what is going on schools around us are closing and erneso is coming straight through us.  If they cared about the safety of our students they would swallow their pride and cancel schools.