[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_75":74},"mediaId",6139713,"mediaKeyId","5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc","parentId",5580621,"title","Hillsborough student nutrition unveils new menu items, keeps lunch prices steady at many schools","audioSeconds",117,"startMs",2179000,"endMs",2296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc&start=2179&end=2296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc/thumbnail_2179000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6139713/Florida/Hillsborough-student-nutrition-unveils-new-menu-items-keeps-lunch-prices-steady-at-many-schools","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139713-666e1957ad057326501db5c2b75663f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042569&Signature=f1XwY-DSFofn1kSCHNfl82ME-aj4h2KvEEuxKQbcvzmqq-Ot4-ZoDF4sQkP3XUR-8tk9~8Tm5aQIJBsJo-DgMY3MdiDvdpoFwpF--5IZNGyAyeSoakMBGFIV6K7HQFXlXIgfoR9sbSmDOxW5bmJ7GlQREjkezPj8J1l2JmhRcjdE81ChCgD0Mn9m1FaBVpD3ukX0IBLcV1ZHvx~BfPIPhjIXg9qGckANwqoGRFxv5~CeoTKi4nyAVuKsRhRCze16UGazcxy-A069UmxVZmTul8JrFMhI9YnxeyCi3aywj6hvkUXkUYlwG95MFES6bIzOkxlq60X~Tz3Kc-lNnPyhtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hillsborough County Public Schools, FL","date","2025-08-07T03:17:34Z","article","Hillsborough County Public Schools student nutrition officials presented a revamped menu for the new year, new scratch‑cooked items and a districtwide effort to keep prices steady despite rising food costs.

Shaney Hall, identified at the event as the student nutrition general manager, said students voted in a district food show and that new items this year include chicken fajitas, beef teriyaki with Asian rice and Mardi Gras chicken. Hall noted the district served about 2,432,000 slices of pizza last year and described the pizza as a healthy option that remained the most popular item.

Why it matters: School meal choices and prices affect food access for students and household budgets. Officials said 198 schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, where lunch is free for all students, and that non‑CEP elementary lunch prices will be $2.25 while middle and high school lunch prices remain $2.75.

Nutrition staff said they held a food show to solicit student preferences and increased scratch cooking to contain costs while maintaining taste and nutrition. Hall singled out district chefs and nutrition staff for helping hold prices steady. “We were able to keep the lunch prices the same,” a nutrition official said.

The district also described parent-facing tools for meal information on the new district website and app. No policy or price votes were taken during the event; the statements summarized nutrition plans for the coming year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Back-To-School Kickoff August 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","District nutrition officials announced new menu items, emphasized student input in menu design, and said lunch prices remain unchanged at many schools due to community eligibility and cost‑containment measures.","taxTitle","Events, Hillsborough, School Districts, Florida","taxId",80705,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6139716,"District emphasizes operations after summer projects: 58 upgrades, AC work and staffing improvements",55,1822000,1877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc&start=1822&end=1877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc/thumbnail_1822000.jpg","/articles/6139716/Florida/District-emphasizes-operations-after-summer-projects-58-upgrades-AC-work-and-staffing-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139716-3e1c6a4d95df5bfca59914cdd512340e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042569&Signature=SlCPBS2IBUSUr1OuIYWYF7PLrsGHh827WJUq6JfweskdC0jc4FHF39TiUrPAqJHd80dax47fJNLW6XQPnMksNDAcuZvr1A9Zr~aOkU9YZ70lTdVl8lxv0ncSeD2C3CFdhgzYVtX-be514XE9Li60mxXQHPSywUKGPxEKSJsoofpVFVtrey2dWRgMZgcEHG4RzZ0pzLpcJhwGXErzjkmpYudfygOJvruH3eJP5SumM3NT7LjsN7rNh363nguDVOsswtiklJg6np8T-g6FoEC5A5-tG8kx-XlFZCCRgYvPLOJevWFbPq-LIaHXT-iWMvAfPtA96lxC7FtF5kzuJAccyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hillsborough County Public Schools officials reviewed summer operations work, saying 58 projects ranged from HVAC overhauls to playground and paving work and that crews completed work across campuses ahead of the school year.

Deputy Superintendent of Operations Chris Farkas said the work included large projects such as a full HVAC renovation at Hillsborough High School and that a half‑penny sales tax helped fund the work. “You’ll see some of the large ones like Hillsborough High School. It's a complete HVAC renovation,” Farkas said. He and the superintendent asked for patience should any units fail in hot weather, but said, “as of right now, the air conditioning is working.”

Why it matters: Reliable building systems and completed capital projects are essential for safe operations as students return; HVAC and cooling systems have immediate impact during high summer temperatures.

Officials said the district is also finishing a technical college in Plant City and expects it to open in October, with course options for both adults and high‑school students. The district linked these projects to voter support for the half‑penny sales tax referendum.

On staffing, the superintendent reported reductions in vacancies compared with the previous year but said some bus‑driver and instructional vacancies remain. He attributed recruitment and retention gains in part to the voter‑approved referendum funds.

No formal board vote occurred during the briefing; the comments were an operational update for the community.","Hillsborough County Public Schools described 58 summer projects funded in part by a voter-approved sales tax, highlighted air-conditioning readiness, and said operations staff is addressing remaining vacancies.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6139721,"Hillsborough officials say district near ‘A’ rating, highlight gains in literacy and attendance efforts",546,1136000,1682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc&start=1136&end=1682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc/thumbnail_1136000.jpg","/articles/6139721/Florida/Hillsborough-officials-say-district-near-A-rating-highlight-gains-in-literacy-and-attendance-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139721-13282095b1219340660edd86db112a11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042569&Signature=kRpYdU~hLcnu1i9jZhth7lMQobsxyi3ILcBUM5XK0Dzb-Dyd6dANDXtqDlyt2sto3VtsnO5fy5N~i4X9BFdQfWFz29L6auBWjdGPiYQjX4PNwv5CitFVXEknK9Ee3~1nFp7LJU~JvpPd34DXEhSXstA9BVp7hoGQGbBnB3-ekfmZGwVmBaUno2k23lugfSqt5Lm0rI3-ugW6EGl09x9LDRj3vwHCfchPkvumFglxrBUSPDgBllYhovopPxzrQXKC0uDxMv-PBjR-6z~g4ZnhbAUgbNAoxf-RKchU9CMS2ku5fctfOrOHwVCC022evKbRvd9Dmb~5NUanRiVqeQqBdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hillsborough County Public Schools leaders said the district is on the cusp of an A rating and described measurable gains in student proficiency and attendance at a public briefing ahead of the school year.

Superintendent Van Ayers said the district was “one point away from an A-rated school district,” noting 98% of schools received an A, B or C this year, up from 84% two years ago. He said results will include a graduation-rate figure to be released in December that the district expects will be the highest in its history.

Why it matters: School grades, graduation rates and literacy measures are primary indicators used by the state and by parents to assess district performance and to guide resource allocation.

Officials highlighted literacy growth across grade levels, saying every cohort from grades 3 through 10 had proficiency above 50% for the first time in five years and that grades 3–5 outpaced the statewide average with a 3% increase in proficiency. “Reading proficiency has been a top priority for the school district,” Van Ayers said.

Principals Jeff Cooley of Kenley Elementary and Skyler Geier of Mendenhall Elementary described school-level practices behind improvements. Geier said weekly one-on-one lunchtime meetings with students helped English‑language learners set and track academic goals. Cooley said consistent, districtwide practices and teacher-led interventions produced gains, and noted “we are so proud, but we are not finished.”

Attendance remains a focus. Superintendent Van Ayers said roughly 218,000 students will return next week and the district is aiming to improve daily attendance; principal Emma Morgan described a school program, “NBA,” that rewards students with 95% or better monthly attendance and has helped lift that school’s rate to 93%.

Officials said chronic vacancies have declined: the district reported over 600 classroom vacancies and 150 bus driver vacancies about this time last year and said vacancies are now down by roughly 200 instructional positions and about 100 bus driver vacancies, with an estimated 2.6% teacher vacancy rate remaining. The superintendent credited the millage referendum for helping recruitment and retention.

No votes or policy changes were taken at the event; the remarks summarized data and local programs ahead of the school year.","Hillsborough County Public Schools officials reported improvements in school grades and literacy, previewed the district’s highest-ever graduation rate to be released in December, and described attendance initiatives raising daily attendance.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6139726,"Hillsborough opens Aquila J. Morgan High School, highlights career programs and $178 million facility",356,764000,1120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc&start=764&end=1120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5580621-d4fcd726d0181438d0c01ab53c22bccc/thumbnail_764000.jpg","/articles/6139726/Florida/Hillsborough-opens-Aquila-J-Morgan-High-School-highlights-career-programs-and-178-million-facility","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6139726-27fdc88bf6b7620507803be1a6acf5b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771042569&Signature=fsyP2uuzPNYcR-LmVD8BxUNgN83kAYKLu39YLZCzdneV5agMenZs6x~Qru~t~geNZmNrrA-T3mEVY1FJMKqhUhtzeQBbe9rZn2R7aJEtgR9iB9rz3tPM814eC7aolnfVOzkbiI2TCTx3rDeQYfmjmg7fuNf4e6cqA3DorOO6BisHgdXe-VuEFonlqxEIdijxuw9nTsS9tP7ictS0d7zxJv6N6v2P-THOgDJgqs09FStkEo~S0PdUVdKEyb3MXwqgB9pVzptkEeBnilzen9psPx1YlSQLfww1Gz~EHyRNTNp~QuwUMfaz2RgFTlGAKqlMXV5vS1RcvjRRQVmfHbN7Rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aquila J. Morgan High School opened its doors this week as Hillsborough County Public Schools highlighted a $178,000,000 new facility and a slate of career and technical programs for students. Superintendent Van Ayers and Principal Wilhelm led a public welcome at the school’s inaugural event on the campus.

The new school will offer cosmetology, esports, auto mechanics and a state-of-the-art culinary lab, officials said. “It is just beautiful,” Principal Wilhelm said, calling the school the district’s 29th high school and urging students to take advantage of the new programs.

Why it matters: The district frames the new school as part of broader investments from a recent local sales-tax referendum and ongoing capital projects intended to expand career-technical education and ease capacity pressures. Superintendent Van Ayers thanked staff and the inaugural faculty, saying being “part of an inaugural staff” creates lasting culture for the school.

District leaders described the building as a major capital investment. “Opening a new school is a huge undertaking,” Van Ayers said. He also noted a ribbon-cutting last week attended by many members of the Morgan family who, he said, honored the legacy behind the name.

The principal and superintendent urged students to use new course offerings. Officials said Plant City Technical College—another district facility—will open this fall and that high school students will be able to take courses beginning in January; district staff will name the technical college at the August 26 board meeting. Course areas mentioned for the technical college include industrial electricity, welding technology, building construction, HVAC and forklift certification.

No formal board action or vote accompanied the event; remarks were part of a public opening and briefing on programs and facilities. The district also said it will continue to roll out information to families through a new district website and mobile app.

Less critical details: The event included student remarks and introductions of several school-board members. School Board Chair Jessica Vaughn and other board members attended and joined in recognizing principals and staff who led recent school improvements.

Officials said students return to classrooms on Monday, Aug. 11.","Hillsborough County Public Schools opened Aquila J. Morgan High School and outlined career-focused programs at a $178 million facility, with district leaders praising staff and community support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hillsborough student nutrition unveils new menu items, keeps lunch prices steady at many schools

District emphasizes operations after summer projects: 58 upgrades, AC work and staffing improvements

Hillsborough officials say district near ‘A’ rating, highlight gains in literacy and attendance efforts

Hillsborough opens Aquila J. Morgan High School, highlights career programs and $178 million facility