Comments on: As parents overdose, Pasco County schools becomes overburdened

By: Chris Pineo

Chris Pineo — Sat, 11 May 2019 17:53:55 +0000

I don’t doubt the issues are there but the author is way off on life in Pasco County.

“The county of roughly 525,000 people does not offer much entertainment aside from a couple of old movie theaters, Dairy Queen, Walmart parking lots and unkempt beaches littered with pollution”

That doesn’t accurately describe Dade City, Zephyrhills or even Land O Lakes (and Lutz nearby). Certainly doesn’t include Wesley Chapel or New Port Richey. Maybe the author should have visited other parts of Pasco County or specified which part they were describing.

An error of this magnitude makes me wonder about the rest of the article.

By: Tony berardo

Tony berardo — Mon, 06 May 2019 22:32:46 +0000

It’s amazing how schools are underfunded and how the state lottery was supposed to take care of the schools….and that’s how we have all these lottery games to pay for our education system

By: Unknown

Unknown — Mon, 06 May 2019 01:01:37 +0000

I’d like to hear what CurtBrowning says he’s doing to support teachers in this reality. I’m a kindergarten teacher and am sick and filled with anxiety about whether or not I can make it thru tomorrow! I am a teacher of 24 years. The problem is where else can I go at my age of 62 to make the 48,000. I am single and strive to make ends meet! The Harmony project was a waste of time. Our staff is at an all time low of morale. We have such heart ache with the love for these trauma students, but cannot deal with them as the academic goals each year become higher. There is no time to laugh and bond with kids. It’s all about data so the district gets the funding. I have experienced my room totally being trashed by disturbed students. I pray prior to each day for patience and to show students I actually do care for each one. I am expected to meet so many needs with no support that I feel defeated before the day begins. I’d like to see how he would deal with my class. The pay is of course much less, so he wouldn’t even consider it, but perhaps he’d truly see just what teachers do for the love of children! This is teacher appreciation week, but we don’t get bonuses. Thankfully we get coffee, donuts, hot chocolate or candy bars from administrators.

By: Douglas Dodd

Douglas Dodd — Sun, 05 May 2019 23:56:47 +0000

If I can ever be of some assistance please reach out

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sun, 05 May 2019 17:06:43 +0000

I’m a small business owner in Pasco County and a youth leader at my church. How can I help???

By: Cindy Carson

Cindy Carson — Sun, 05 May 2019 16:21:41 +0000

Staggering data in your article. It is amazing and sad that our school district is not doing more. The programs will be helpful, but it does NOT HELP THE TEACHER. Our job is loaded to address the many different person alities, learning styles, and levels, not to mention the “clerical” duties of plans and paperwork. We need a LEARNING FARM…a place where these students can feel safe. It takes a long minute to earn their trust, then u might teach some academics before the next sad event. I teach ADULT ED now and it all continues. I welcome an interview. May God bless all of us in our daily diligence.

By: Aelia Marotta

Aelia Marotta — Sun, 05 May 2019 15:16:20 +0000

Excellent article ! My wife and I were fortunate to work in the Pasco County School System for more than 33 years prior to retirement. Through the grace of working side by side with such caring faculty and staff members, students who faced this crisis were able to function to the best of their ability, and get through the day !
Our lawmakers should be ashamed of themselves by switching funding educationally by taking funds from our public schools and in a photo; clapping about it.
Yes, it is nice to see children succeed, but is wonderful to see children survive!

By: Katy Jones

Katy Jones — Sun, 05 May 2019 11:04:14 +0000

Very well written and researched article!

By: parry

parry — Fri, 03 May 2019 19:57:07 +0000

how its changed from when I grew up there… fabulous article