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School board recognizes Winding Waters students and Hernando County Education Foundation; district highlights summer camps and athletic certification
Summary
At the Jan. 14 meeting the board heard a presentation by Winding Waters K-8, recognized the Hernando County Education Foundation for hurricane recovery fundraising and honored Dustin Kupchik for earning certified master athletic administrator status. Staff also described expanding summer-camp partnerships with USF and Saint Leo University.
The Hernando County School Board heard presentations and recognized local achievements at its Jan. 14 meeting.
Winding Waters K-8 students and Principal Kristen Tormey presented the pledge and highlighted school achievements, including performing-arts honors at the FMEA Professional Learning Conference and All-State Concerts. "Your leadership, vision and dedication are integral to creating an environment where education thrives," Principal Kristen Tormey told the board. Several student groups attended the meeting on behalf of Winding Waters, including members of the safety patrol, student council and Beta Club.
The board formally recognized the Hernando County Education Foundation (HCEF) for emergency relief work after recent hurricanes. Tammy Brinker, CEO of the foundation, told the board HCEF raised more than $150,000 in emergency relief funds for supplies, food, transportation and financial assistance to staff and families affected by storm damage. Brinker said the foundation will open a new application process for financial assistance next week and thanked local funding partners and community donors. "Our success in raising over $150,000 would not have been possible without the generous support of funders and partners," Brinker said.
The board also recognized Dustin Kupchik, the district's athletic director, for earning the Certified Master Athletic Administrator distinction from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. John Morris, director of secondary curriculum, noted Kupchik's work in filling athletic-trainer positions and improving district athletics operations; Kupchik thanked mentors and his family and said he was "truly honored and humbled to represent our district." Board members praised the role of athletics and performing arts in connecting students to academic work and building community.
Separately, district staff described approved summer-camp partnerships and associated registration-authorizations. Staff said the district's third-year partnerships with the University of South Florida and Saint Leo University will offer camps ranging from coding and engineering to emergency management and criminal-justice/forensics experiences. Officials said the programs are funded through grants and CTE add-on FTE funds rather than the district general fund; last year the district logged about 600 summer-camp registrations across programs.
Student Representative Santiago Pinckney provided a short video and remarks highlighting student-led initiatives; in a light moment he referred to Superintendent Ray Pender's "spirit animal" recognition after a story students shared about Pender caring for injured wildlife during the storm response.
No formal board action was required for the recognitions, but board members said the presentations underscored the role local partners, teachers and extracurricular programs play in student engagement and recovery from recent storms.
