Parents Against Half Days

Posted Aug 24, 2010 by Sherri Ackerman

Updated Aug 24, 2010 at 10:57 PM

Parents Against Half Days at Hillsborough County Schools issued a release late last week saying it will support Frank Hernandez for the District 2 school board seat held by Candy Olson, who is seeking re-election.

“If we get Frank elected it will send a strong message to the board and administration that we mean business,” said Russell Blumenthal, whose wife, Jamie, started the group in June through Facebook.

Check out our previous coverage of this issue here

These parents are against early-release days - period. They are a distraction for students and teachers, the parents say, and cause undue stress for working parents who have to take time off from jobs and arrange afterschool care.

The school district and local teachers union have proposed 14 days where students are released two hours early to provide teachers with more planning time. Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia has offered parents an opportunity to serve on a task force to help the district find more planning time for teachers. She added that this year, on those early-release days, afterschool care will be available for parents for just $5.

It isn’t swaying these parents. With the battle lines drawn, school board members will vote on the issue - possibly as soon as next week at their regular Tuesday board meeting.

And the parents are gathering support for board candidates who support their cause.