[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6339592,"mediaKeyId","2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734","parentId",2261046,"title","Board approves Prodigy Cultural Arts partnership and CTE activities calendar; members encourage expansion","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",6771000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734&start=6771&end=6771","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734/thumbnail_6771000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6339592/Florida/Board-approves-Prodigy-Cultural-Arts-partnership-and-CTE-activities-calendar-members-encourage-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339592-4b4ca9b0f9c682902fec76ed330adb48/orig.mp4?Expires=1777390062&Signature=cQ5QNNJZkA0yptX5ATXwwy0hxW1070q2lMH5klTjvz5NYP1MLJQMxAwkTvwDUo2q0w6YV6eo8Aj3-OuI1hYLzDN9n6bGm0eL-VvBzz7QttmOjHqLgOx3da4F6JdFbdrpswxFhZ4eqxwuPZL3kobn3-EMqK293TkbaUR00PFnKf1UEBWAdD~0v5flUNhC-ydriXnYFPSzAkL7JyPYQ7Yes41Z7tO5MXqbgnx9KqCGv4eA4V~6WBbS7ZIIx2zr3B8g2rPA7zP1f4-hgqA5SnwjTgayK9V2gcZii7EX4Pd5tFUj0QkSXAsMTCbyscA9SOW5VlV6JCIdqqIhq6dZbveuSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hillsborough County Public Schools, FL","date","2025-02-12T01:29:12.67Z","article","The Hillsborough County School Board unanimously approved two education partnership items on Feb. 11: a memorandum of agreement with the University Area Community Development Corporation to deliver the Prodigy Cultural Arts program at four elementary schools, and the district’s career and technical education (CTE) activities calendar listing events and CTSO activities through Dec. 31, 2025.

Superintendent Ayers and district staff described Prodigy as a 23-year cultural-arts program serving youth ages 5–17; the MOA covers coordination of themes and lessons that integrate life skills during students’ host hours and will operate at Farrell, Franklin, Mueller and Egypt Lake elementary schools. Member Rendon, who pulled the item for comment, said she hopes to see the program expand to additional schools such as Crestwood and Robinson.

On the CTE activities calendar (agenda item COTE2), board members praised the breadth of offerings—leadership trainings, CTSO events, JROTC activities and regional competitions—and emphasized the value of these programs in preparing students for technical careers. Staff noted the activities calendar covers events between Feb. 12 and Dec. 31, 2025. The calendar passed on a unanimous vote; the MOA vote was also unanimous.

Why it matters: The Prodigy MOA and the CTE calendar formalize partnerships and activities that provide arts, leadership and career pathways to students across the district; board members highlighted the potential to expand services into additional neighborhoods and the importance of bilingual and inclusive programming.

What’s next: Schools named in the MOA will implement the Prodigy program; staff will continue to coordinate with workforce and CTE partners and report on program participation and expansion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Meeting February 11, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Trustees voted unanimously to sign a memorandum of agreement with the University Area Community Development Corporation for the Prodigy Cultural Arts program and approved the district's CTE activities calendar for 2024–2025; members urged expansion of programs to additional schools and praised partners.","taxTitle","Hillsborough, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14619,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339597,"Board names Alonzo High School building after longtime educator Ken Hart",573,3152000,3725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734&start=3152&end=3725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734/thumbnail_3152000.jpg","/articles/6339597/Florida/Board-names-Alonzo-High-School-building-after-longtime-educator-Ken-Hart","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339597-03eaaa43a5df98360d3157d93dd818e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1777390062&Signature=NZSFGtHuhlURUBA3RV8oWlTD1Fgvl0nc7PBlK~Uj1Yed5m3psWSOT4aB4CW5Ub4CzT4dDJkjG~IPISL60n8Cw62FADc390TlBRxkhJFyKCkqXoxJjbqpFF63PBndLexnvVwcchJOE~ij1hupK~8RBjLEClBCq9eYH8gzXD26mPfHpYcUnfJlBkRIrU1kWEf8MNa-~pdEE~WdLxxpiYGTMjXFHq~v8olmSl0XkoIjelg-pEIM~cFyWAIJunKfoXM-J33HKvsVBohKljpcWK8tV5swF-1e4JJbG7MWLxbHaOddF9Ij3vDRPhbjkDBPRVpWnJ1MfYAll-i7a7mMf882Ag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hillsborough County School Board unanimously approved a request on Feb. 11 to name Building 21 at Alonzo High School the Ken Hart Sports and Leadership Center.

James Harris, principal of Alonzo High School, and other speakers recounted Ken Hart’s more than five decades in education, including coaching, district leadership and long-standing support for wrestling and JROTC programs. The board heard personal tributes from Member Nadia Combs, Member Gray and Member Washington; Hart accepted the honor and thanked colleagues, family and past collaborators in a short speech.

Board materials show Hart worked in multiple instructional and leadership roles over 56 years in education and had supporters across the district. The motion to approve the naming (agenda item C502) was moved by Member Combs and seconded by Member Gray; the vote was unanimous.

Why it matters: Naming campus facilities recognizes longtime district leaders and signals community values—here, athletic leadership, mentorship and sustained service.

What’s next: A public celebration was announced for early March; staff and the school will finalize signage and dedication logistics.","The School Board unanimously approved naming Building 21 at Alonzo High School the Ken Hart Sports and Leadership Center and held a brief ceremony honoring Hart’s decades-long career.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339601,"Residents and NAACP supporters clash in public comment over rent-free NAACP office at Gary Adult High School",750,1843000,2593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734&start=1843&end=2593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734/thumbnail_1843000.jpg","/articles/6339601/Florida/Residents-and-NAACP-supporters-clash-in-public-comment-over-rent-free-NAACP-office-at-Gary-Adult-High-School","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339601-832eade50baddc9236d4e3aa980c7e97/orig.mp4?Expires=1777390062&Signature=FrUKQY~NcIxvOSVu36GcvfGtLSmmVmPTdHUwooE3cv-Nt5S1dSayExsDpRbiPfXSiTWVaP4RrvMX7iYzpzF4CBen78PX2X5-Kj1hgbfdftAAcRyU3lX8y7wjFOVC8~QqaTPONCvCl1XUKpeEvwAHu9kf7qQRnm48vcj8QIKHlOdx5s-eu~LP9lIn7YJPXWohQUXaFa~4K0cF1mdZKrHaH8grOc~hJq~2lBhWlZ~pxoQ6LDW8zZKLPx~QwAVYXIXnVA-t0zf~~47ww5Lj9Yba~tF0zBN~XgPtP2okX~c0m2aY7jdW5C4BNwcHS-F2h~4h2OPvdNN7HB5rOV-nV7tCiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period on Feb. 11 to press the school board on a recurring local controversy: the NAACP’s use of office space at the Gary Adult High School campus without rent, according to multiple speakers.

Several speakers, including Julia Jackson and Bishop Michelle Patty, said the NAACP’s presence on school property represented favoritism and a conflict of interest because other organizations are not offered the same terms. Jackson said the NAACP’s “free rent and board, which includes free furniture” amounted to unequal treatment of community groups. Bishop Michelle Patty and others urged the board to remove the organization from the site so the NAACP could operate from an independent office and act without perceived constraints.

NAACP speakers and supporters countered that the branch runs tutoring, health expos and an empowerment center, and that the organization plays an active role in youth programming. Jarvin Salami, who described the branch’s activities, listed examples that included a health expo serving 3,000 people, minority-business support and STEM programming for youth; he said the NAACP operates an “empowerment center” and helps minority-owned contractors compete for district work.

Other speakers emphasized the NAACP’s long history and community programs, including weekend tutoring and youth STEM teams. Several supporters called the criticism a personal attack on the branch’s local leaders and urged the board to maintain the partnership.

Board members did not take action on the comments at the meeting. The public-comment period is advisory; staff said they will follow up with speakers as appropriate.

Why it matters: The exchange raises questions about board policy for use of school property by outside organizations, transparency of any memorandum of agreement, and whether different community organizations receive equal access and support.

What’s next: Speakers said they expect the district to review the memorandum of agreement and to follow up with complainants and partner groups; the board did not indicate a vote or formal review schedule at the Feb. 11 meeting.","Multiple speakers during public comment urged the board either to remove or to preserve the NAACP office at Gary Adult High School; speakers presented competing views about whether the branch is inactive or a vital community partner. The board took no action during the meeting.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339604,"Board approves short-term Edupoint support for Synergy as district transitions to Focus; one member demands weekly accountability",332,6945000,7277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734&start=6945&end=7277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734/thumbnail_6945000.jpg","/articles/6339604/Florida/Board-approves-short-term-Edupoint-support-for-Synergy-as-district-transitions-to-Focus-one-member-demands-weekly-accountability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339604-a9417768462b54ad1ce91993b7d91e61/orig.mp4?Expires=1777390062&Signature=E2SqpRw4rxBDOhZxphhq~TZOSHaiGTmfmJsc1ufWypQ1hcuMgzSiZJcwhhIRzk~Dznvp7Pl1S9lmU3jOBSJCEuDRjJ4xPddMjHj75ivmg7swPs3Dlh0gE6I3IPt9YEmqFC2L-cCpljV2rL~EZWbtFiSgbjrD9C7MUCGG452m~MhxL9DmurSEgb2weMvP7t156n-BtpQ586TyYp7B9I~iSNHyP3JHy-~KZ3lDs~PmXJNv73MrGmuDKj6aIiIgzJCMRoQ6ESGbJQb-mmcwVufC40Ucq2WLAlkfsxJwljaXXok5M0KDq-iCw0fSKO3vHWalTOKUQX937-HM2659Psk~Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hillsborough County School Board on Feb. 11 approved a renewal of Edupoint services to support the district’s Synergy student information system while the district ramps up implementation of the Focus SIS for the 2025-26 school year. District staff said the renewal will cost $90,000 less than originally budgeted and will primarily fund data micro-migration and technical assistance.

Member Rendon opposed the motion and asked for a series of weekly updates detailing exactly what work is being done in Synergy and in Focus, who is responsible for each task, and how the district is minimizing duplicated effort. “We’ve doubled their work by this process,” Rendon said, and told the administration she would withhold support for the renewal until the board receives a regular, detailed accounting of progress and responsibilities.

Superintendent Addison Ayers and district staff agreed to supply weekly progress reports; staff said the expenditures are included in the IT services annual budget and are necessary during the ramp-down/ramp-up period. The motion was moved by Member Perez and seconded by Member Combs and passed with Rendon recorded as the lone no vote.

Why it matters: Synergy is the live system for schedules, ESE data and other active student records. The district is operating both systems during the migration; board members said unclear responsibilities and mixed workflows increase risk to scheduling and special-education services during a critical scheduling season.

What’s next: District staff committed to provide weekly updates to the board on the transition timeline and assignments; Member Rendon said she expects frequent, specific written reports until the migration is complete.","The board authorized continued Edupoint services to support Synergy data migration while the district implements Focus as its new student information system; Member Rendon voted no and asked for regular, detailed updates on responsibilities and timelines.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_46":117,"_48":118,"_50":119,"_52":120,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":121,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":122,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6339607,"School board approves $150,000 Future Career Academy partnership after heated debate over $51,000 curriculum line item",320,2914000,3234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734&start=2914&end=3234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2261046-fb419228e14bc98cbfe52170cdf06734/thumbnail_2914000.jpg","/articles/6339607/Florida/School-board-approves-150000-Future-Career-Academy-partnership-after-heated-debate-over-51000-curriculum-line-item","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6339607-c1a04ab3628043a975ba5f499d6b1148/orig.mp4?Expires=1777390062&Signature=clYZjTmYAMO~XUGVjcgbind4hQactGm7OIMGaHQThgJc1rgfoPdkHu~gU62He7nc8T8YS6~WA9TgOnjRUTiMEz4SBOIZ5zIIXSjCMKPS71Z1GDVEOGBTM5M8mDuuADr5NNjlW6KoPTv7B0s3K5pEz1RLAx82oQQJRKCZ0jTnvtWITGjtiUUia7BLQCLdsbjJ6SS07eglpLLz6W7H-TksziFVZgdnzdSJtWwatx2kwGUK6MDWOSxVlSnrjRFGiye8288u8Yf1iBBpi4upmDSPMGv2D25aQBx2JIWUersJn7-S5GIjecNsh4shii8caGcUHHRE8yR5j6PS2KSzkeHDGQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hillsborough County School Board voted 6-1 on Feb. 11 to approve a memorandum of agreement with Future Career Academy to continue career-exploration activities for seniors and other students, including business tours, job fairs and classroom materials. The contract carries roughly $150,000 in workforce dollars for the year; board materials show transportation costs are supported by the Perkins grant.

The vote followed extended questioning from Dr. Hahn, who said the board was being asked to pay about $51,000 each year for FCA curriculum materials that, she told the board, duplicate free classroom lessons already available through the Florida Department of Education’s CPALMS repository. “Why are we paying $51,000 for a curriculum when the state provides equivalent lessons?” Dr. Hahn asked, and she demanded an audit comparing FCA lesson plans to CPALMS offerings and a detailed annual explanation of what is updated in the supplemental curriculum.

Supporters defended FCA as a large, multiyear workforce partner. Board member Nadia Combs, who moved the item, cited event numbers and local business participation as evidence of the program’s reach: FCA recently hosted eight days of business activities that served roughly 2,100 students using 59 bus trips, 185 business tours and 83 unique businesses, Combs said. “This program impacts thousands of students,” Combs said during the meeting, and she urged the board to ask the same financial and operating questions of similar vendors going forward.

Member Gray noted an independent audit cited in the FCA materials and highlighted the program’s role in recruiting students to technical programs and apprenticeship pathways, saying that those placements generate FTE for the district and create direct employer connections for students.

The district staff told the board FCA’s curriculum is being used as a voluntary supplement in English 4 and English 4 honors classes at the discretion of school principals and teachers and that the district and FCA have increased collaboration this year to improve alignment and impact measurement. Staff confirmed the contract is year three of the current arrangement and that the $150,000 is recorded as workforce-state funds in the district documents.

The board approved the agreement with Dr. Hahn recorded as the lone no vote. District staff agreed to return requested documentation: a detailed line-item explanation of the annual curriculum costs, a comparison audit of FCA lessons to CPALMS materials, and clarification of any fees charged to participating businesses.

Actions at the meeting also included a request from Dr. Hahn that the district provide the audit and curriculum comparison by the end of the month; staff acknowledged the request and said they would follow up.

Why it matters: The agreement funds programs that place students directly in front of employers and can lead to apprenticeships or employment, but board members pushed for clearer evidence of instructional value and financial transparency before continuing a recurring curriculum expense.

What’s next: Staff said they will bring additional documentation and implementation updates to the board as requested; the contract will be implemented in partnership with district CTE staff and business partners already engaged through FCA.","The Hillsborough County School Board voted to renew a memorandum of agreement with Future Career Academy (FCA) that funds bus tours, business fairs and a curriculum supplement; one board member voted no and asked for an audit comparing FCA lessons to the state CPALMS materials.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Prodigy Cultural Arts partnership and CTE activities calendar; members encourage expansion

Board names Alonzo High School building after longtime educator Ken Hart

Residents and NAACP supporters clash in public comment over rent-free NAACP office at Gary Adult High School

Board approves short-term Edupoint support for Synergy as district transitions to Focus; one member demands weekly accountability

School board approves $150,000 Future Career Academy partnership after heated debate over $51,000 curriculum line item