Posted by  Carrie Bowcock, Town N Country on 03/20  at  01:10 AM

As a parent of a child in Dickenson, I do not feel that the school board has considered all the facts. Fact Dickenson has Been an “A” school 3 out of the last 5 years. Fact we have continued to meet the AYP when Hillsborough County has failed as a whole. Look at the numbers as of 3-16-06 they are transferring 1555 children from the school that they are in now to 1462 places, what about the other 93 students???? Teachers who have taught at the school for years might not have a job next year. Some students will have to take a bus with 6,7, & 8th graders. Why close a school that works only to in return come and as ask us the tax payers for more money to build a new school??????  If someone can tell the sense in that please do.

Posted by  Marion Kelso, Riverview, FL on 03/18  at  07:15 PM

As a Newsome HS Boundary Committee member, I felt Newsome’s boundaries should’ve affected all eastern Hillsborough high schools to more evenly balance enrollment and relieve severe overcrowding for a longer period of time. Unfortunately, parents’ emotionally-driven self-serving input created insurmountable obstacles for the HCSD and Committee.

The HCSD should be commended for boldly approaching Dickenson Elementary’s and the 19 surrounding schools’ boundary changes. Parents and the community should be expected to look beyond only their child and school for the greater good of all the children and schools involved. Children are resilient and can and will adjust to change if parents approach change with a positive attitude.

Posted by  Laura Carvalho,  on 03/17  at  03:37 PM

I am a Westchase resident who, for the 3rd time in 3 years, is facing yet another battle to keep my child in the school that was built to house the students in the planned community of Westchase along with some of the surrounding areas.

With the recent completion of a new wing, every student is in a brick and mortar classroom at very manageable class sizes.  Westchase itself is almost completely built out so natural attrition will keep this school within an acceptable level of occupancy. 

Why then should our students be moved from the community in which they live, only to bus them into another school that by the end of next year will likely be over capacity? 

Perhaps it is best to leave what’s not broken alone.

Posted by  Judi Walker, Town & Country on 03/17  at  10:54 AM

I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD NEEDS TO RE-THINK THE CLOSING OF DICKENSON ELEM. THE CHILDREN ARE THE CONCERN HERE AND AT THEIR YOUNG AGES THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE TO BE UPSET FROM THEIR ROUTINE. THE PUBLIC DOESN’T WORRY ABOUT THE TAXES THAT SUPPORT DICKENSON BUT THEY DO WORRY ABOUT ALL THE MISPLACED CHILREN AND ADULTS THAT THIS WILL EFFECT AND THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT. IT’S NOT EVEN IMPORTANT ABOUT HOW ANGRY THE PEOPLE ARE BUT THE CHILDREN MADE TO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG TO BRING THIS ON IS TOTALLY UNFAIR.

Posted by  Sara Hernandez, Tampa on 03/17  at  08:47 AM

As a mother of 2 Dickenson school children, I like other parents are asking why? Why this? why now? The school district is talking about over crowded schools, but yet they want to pull our children OUT of a school that is well below capacity and put them in schools that are bursting at the seams. Thats a little ridiculous and just plain stupid on the part of the school board! Why take an A school that is below capacity and stuff our children like sardines in a school that cannot handle more students? why not take kids from the overcrowded schools and put them in Dickenson? I read that one of the schools they propose transferring the kids to is at 122% capacity! Get real board of education.

Posted by  Mary E Tarantola, Tampa on 03/17  at  08:18 AM

My children both attend our neighborhood elemntary school.  The proposed bounday shifts would push them out of an “A” school to a “C” school, which happens to have over 100 MORE students than their current school.  The worst part is, this comes AFTER two chances for us to choose a different school have passed. One choice deadline and the first round of lottery for Magnet schools are both over.  They have taken away our “choices”.  What a horrible lesson they are teaching our children - it’s okay to deprive our most vulnerable citizens of the right to due process! If boundary chages will be made fine - but give parents and children time to actually CHOOSE other alternatives!