Press Releases

  • Hillsborough County Public School Board Members in the Community: April 26-May 4, 2025

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/25/2025 4:00:00 PM
     
     
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 25, 2025) – One or more Hillsborough County School Board members are scheduled to attend the following events or meetings:
    • 4/26/2025 - 4:00 PM
      NAACP ACT-SO Youth Competition, 1006 W Cypress St, Tampa

    • 4/28/2025 - 11:00 AM
      Hispanic Forum, Virtual

    • 4/29/2025 - 10:00 AM
      School Board Workshop, 901 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

    • 4/30/2025 - 6:00 PM
      Citizens Advisory Committee, 901 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

    • 5/1/2025 - 5:30 PM
      2025 Congressional Education Awards, 6305 St Road 70 E, Bradenton

    • 5/2/2025 - 9:00 AM
      Citizens Oversight Committee, Virtual

    • 5/2/2025 - 11:00 AM
      USF Research Showcase, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa

    • 5/3/2025 - 9:00 AM
      Early Childhood Literacy Fair, 14150 Gate Dancer Rd, Sun City Center

    • 5/3/2025 - 1:00 PM
      Rockfest 2025, 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa

    • 5/3/2025 - 7:00 PM
      Tampa Bay Sun Soccer Game, 1701 N Boulevard, Tampa

    • 5/4/2025 - 2:00 PM
      WeSeeU College Bound Senior Award Ceremony, 1515 W Bearss, Tampa
    Comments (-1)
  • Health Insurance Committee Meeting

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/25/2025 1:50:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 25, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools will hold a Health Insurance Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 30, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. to discuss general health insurance trends. The meeting will take place in the Instructional Services Center, room #161, 2920 N. 40th St., Tampa.
    Comments (-1)
  • Hillsborough County Student Athletes Honored at Winter Sports Awards

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/24/2025 2:00:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fla. – (April 24, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools honored our winter sports student athletes for individual awards and team GPA awards at their Winter Sports Awards on Thursday, April 24th.

    Team GPA Awards
    Lennard Girls Basketball – 3.790 GPA
    Wharton Boys Basketball – 3.684 GPA
    Steinbrenner Girls Soccer – 3.909 GPA
    Plant Boys Soccer – 3.684 GPA
    Bloomingdale Girls Wrestling – 3.710 GPA
    Newsome Boys Wrestling – 3.629 GPA
    Bloomingdale Cheerleading – 3.742 GPA

    Dottie McGahagin Girls Basketball Award
    Noelle Mengel, Bloomingdale High School
    A standout four-year letterman and team leader, Noelle Mengel excelled as a guard for Bloomingdale High School. Averaging 14.3 points per game on 62% shooting from two-point range, 31% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 89% from the free-throw line, she’s known for her elite scoring ability at all levels. Noelle was a key contributor in Bloomingdale’s dominant 106-15 four-year run, which included four district titles, three regional championships, a state runner-up finish, and a state championship. Her high basketball IQ, leadership, and defensive improvement helped drive her team’s success. Noelle holds a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 5.88 weighted GPA. She will attend the University of Tampa on a full athletic scholarship and plans to major in medicine.

    Alston “Mac” McGahagin Boys Basketball Award
    Gavin Tinsley, Plant City High School
    A four-year varsity letterman, Gavin Tinsley dominated as a 6’7” forward at Plant City High School. With career stats that include 1,232 points and averages of 19 points, 7.8 rebounds, and nearly 2 assists per game, Gavin led his team in scoring for multiple seasons. His coach describes him as a versatile, team-first player with a high basketball IQ and elite efficiency, shooting over 60% from the field. Gavin has a 3.24 GPA and will continue his academic and athletic career at Mississippi State University, where he plans to major in social work.
     
    Williamson-Snapp Outstanding Cheerleader Award
    Skylar Mayer, Plant High School
    A three-year varsity cheerleader and team captain, Skylar Mayer is known for her leadership, resilience, and skill. From standing tucks to layouts, she brings strong technique to every routine. As a captain, she guided her team through a season of changes, helping teammates adjust to new roles and routines. She’s a UCA All-American, Western Conference MVP, and a key part of the 2A Small Varsity State Runner-Up team. Skylar is also a National AP Scholar, maintaining a 4.0 unweighted GPA and a 6.8 weighted GPA. She plans to attend Wake Forest University and major in business management.
     
    Hillsborough County Female Wrestler of the Year
    Ariel Goble, Strawberry Crest High School
    A four-year letter winner, Ariel Goble finishes her high school wrestling career with an 89-29 record and 54 pins. She’s a two-time state qualifier, three-time county champion, and has earned titles at multiple major tournaments. Ariel’s leadership helped grow the girls’ team from just 3 athletes to over 15, culminating in a county team title. She is an IB student with a 3.4 unweighted GPA and a 5.5 weighted GPA, all while supporting her family and training outside of school. Ariel is considering a major in criminal justice or law.
     
    Hillsborough County Male Wrestler of the Year
    Alecsander Rego, Brandon High School
    A two-year varsity wrestler, Alecsander Rego boasts a 78-18 record with 43 pins. He capped off his senior year with a 46-5 record, a fourth-place state finish, and victories in six individual tournaments. Known for his unmatched work ethic and academic excellence, Alecsander helped lead his team to top performances both on the mat and in the classroom. He has a 3.4 unweighted GPA and a 5.1 weighted GPA. Alecsander plans to attend the Merchant Marine Academy in Maine.

    Joel Medgebow Wrestling Coach of the Year
    Adam Cain, Armwood High School
    Adam Cain has revitalized the wrestling program at Armwood High School, transforming it into a competitive powerhouse for both boys and girls. His leadership has produced multiple divisional champions and top-ranked wrestlers, leading to the team’s #21 ranking in Class 3A. Cain also championed opportunities for female athletes by hosting the Girls’ District Tournament. This season, his team finished as district runners-up and placed two athletes in the top four at state. Known for his character and commitment, Cain has made a lasting impact across the county’s wrestling community.
     
    **Photos of event available here:
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  • Hillsborough County Public Schools to Unveil New Electric Bus Charging Station at King High School

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/24/2025 9:30:00 AM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 24, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to announce the completion of a new electric bus charging station located at King High School. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Friday, April 25 at 9:30 a.m., marking a significant step forward in the district’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and innovation in student transportation.
     
    The charging station is designed to simultaneously charge 28 electric buses, with infrastructure in place to expand capacity for 8 additional buses in the future. The project also resulted in a complete reconfiguration of the transportation site to better serve the needs of students and staff.
     
    In May of 2024, the school board voted to purchase the electric buses to serve specific inner-city routes to underserved communities. Funding was provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who awarded HCPS $7.9 million as part of their first Clean School Bus Program Grants Competition. The charging station was the last part of the project to make the electric buses fully operational.
     
    As part of the improvements, HCPS also milled, re-paved, and redesigned the bus yard at King High School, enhancing traffic flow and efficiency. The site now features a newly constructed Drivers Education range, as well as additional parking to accommodate 19 additional non-electric buses on paved surfaces—a major upgrade in functionality and space utilization.
     
    “This project highlights how innovation and collaboration can drive real, tangible improvements in our schools,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “We’re proud of our transportation and construction teams who worked a very tight timeline, so the station was ready to charge when the buses arrived.”
     
    This project was made possible thanks to the expert design work of Campo Engineering, responsible for the civil engineering, and WGI, Inc., which led the electrical design.
     
    The April 25 ribbon-cutting event will bring together district leaders, transportation staff, and community partners to celebrate the completion of this milestone initiative, which positions Hillsborough County Public Schools as a leader in clean and efficient school transportation.
     
    Media are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25 at King High School, 6815 N 56th St, Tampa, FL 33610.
    Comments (-1)
  • Hillsborough County Public Schools National Merit® $2,500 Scholarship Winners

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/23/2025 4:55:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 23, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools is proud to announce this year’s National Merit $2,500 Scholarship winners, as released today by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®). The scholarship winners were chosen from a pool of more than 15,000 outstanding students in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program.
     
    These Scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the Finalists and their high schools: their academic record, including difficulty of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®); contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the Finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.
     
    “This is an amazing accomplishment for our students, and I want to congratulate them,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “They represent the very best of Hillsborough County Public Schools, demonstrating academic excellence, leadership, and a deep commitment to their future success.”
     
    Students may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
     
    Congratulations to Hillsborough County Public Schools’ National Merit Scholarship Winners:
     
    Alan Xiang, Alonso High School
    Siddanth R. Devanathan, Strawberry Crest High School
    Comments (-1)
  • HCTA Bargaining Session

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/22/2025 12:08:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 22, 2025) – Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association will hold a negotiation session on Wednesday, April 23.
    The session will begin at 9 a.m. and will focus on Educational Support Professionals (ESP). Educational Support Professionals include clerical, paraprofessionals, nurses, bus attendants, and classroom aides, among other job types.
    The meeting is scheduled at the HCTA Pro Learning Center located at 3102 N. Habana Ave., Tampa.
    Comments (-1)
  • Hillsborough County Public School Board Members in the Community: April 22-24, 2025

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/21/2025 4:00:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060

    Tampa, Fl. (April 21, 2025) – One or more Hillsborough County School Board members are scheduled to attend the following events or meetings:

    • 4/22/25 - 10:30 AM
      Law Enforcement Memorial, 2008 E. 8th Ave., Tampa
    • 4/22/25 – 4:00 PM
      School Board Meeting, Auditorium, 901 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
    • 4/23/25 – 7:30 AM
      Brandon Chamber’s “Good Morning Brandon! Education”, The Regent, 6437 Watson Rd., Riverview
    • 4/23/25 – 10:00 AM
      Hillsborough County African American History Task Force, Virtual
    • 4/23/25 - 6:30 PM
      Special Olympics, 4691 Gallagher Rd., Dover
    • 4/24/25 - 7:30 AM
      Latinos In Action Conference, 4103 Cedar Circle, Tampa
    • 4/24/25 – 10:00 AM
      Winter Sports Awards, Auditorium, 901 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
    • 4/24/25 – 6:00 PM
      Elementary Music Awards, 1010 NW. C MacInnis Place, Tampa 
    Comments (-1)
  • Hillsborough County Public School Board Members in the Community: April 22-24, 2025

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/18/2025 2:00:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 18, 2025) – One or more Hillsborough County School Board members are scheduled to attend the following events or meetings:
    • 4/22/25 - 10:30 AM
      Law Enforcement Memorial, 2008 E. 8th Ave., Tampa
    • 4/22/25 – 4:00 PM
      School Board Meeting, Auditorium, 901 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
    • 4/23/25 – 10:00 AM
      Hillsborough County African American History Task Force, Virtual
    • 4/23/25 - 6:30 PM
      Special Olympics, 4691 Gallagher Rd., Dover
    • 4/24/25 - 7:30 AM
      Latinos In Action Conference, 4103 Cedar Circle, Tampa
    • 4/24/25 – 10:00 AM
      Winter Sports Awards, Auditorium, 901 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
    • 4/24/25 – 6:00 PM
      Elementary Music Awards, 1010 NW. C MacInnis Place, Tampa 
    Comments (-1)
  • Hillsborough County Public School Board Members in the Community: April 12-17, 2025

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/11/2025 3:00:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact:Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 11, 2025) – One or more Hillsborough County School Board members are scheduled to attend the following events or meetings:
    • 4/12/2025 - 8:00 AM
      Race for Education, 1701 N Boulevard, Tampa

    • 4/12/2025 - 7:00PM
      Tampa Bay Sun Soccer Game, 1701 N Boulevard, Tampa

    • 4/14/2025 - 4:30 PM
      Hillsborough Association of School Library Media Specialists Annual Banquet, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd, Tampa
       
    • 4/15/2025 - 9:00 AM
      Pin Chasers Turnaround Student Breakfast, 2940 N 40th St, Tampa

    • 4/15/2025 - 4:00 PM
      Outstanding School Volunteer Awards Reception, 901 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

    • 4/15/2025 - 5:30 PM
      Recognition Meeting, 901 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

    • 4/16/2025 - 5:30 PM
      Kids Tag Art Awards Ceremony, 4401 W Cypress St, Tampa
    •  
    • 4/17/2025 - 11:45 AM
      14th Annual Head & Heart Luncheon, 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa

    • 4/17/2025 - 6:00 PM
      Spring into Wellness Mental Health Forum, 17400 Commerce Park Blvd, Tampa
    Comments (-1)
  • Hillsborough County Public School Board Members in the Community: April 7-12, 2025

    Posted by Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti on 4/4/2025 3:00:00 PM
    For Immediate Release
    Contact: Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti
    Hillsborough County Public Schools
    Office of Communications
    813-272-4060
     
    Tampa, Fl. (April 4, 2025) – One or more Hillsborough County School Board members are scheduled to attend the following events or meetings:
    • 4/7/2025 - 10:00 AM
      Principal Induction Program Graduation, 4210 W Bay Villa Ave, Tampa
    • 4/7/2025 - 6:00 PM
      Citizens Advisory Committee, 901 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
    • 4/8/2025 - 10:30 AM
      Sip Smile and Support for Autism Event, 802 E Whiting St, Tampa
    • 4/8/2025 - 4:00 PM
      School Board Meeting, School Board Auditorium, 901 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
    • 4/10/2025 - 5:30 PM
      2025 Migrant Senior Banquet, 6437 Watson Rd, Riverview 
    • 4/12/2025 - 8:00 AM
      Race for Education, 1701 N Boulevard, Tampa
    Comments (-1)