The most newsworthy development was the opening of Aquilla J. Morgan High School, the 29th high school in the district. During the meeting, Principal Wilhelm introduced the school’s innovative programs, including cosmetology, e-sports, auto mechanics, and a cutting-edge culinary lab, all housed within a $178 million facility. Superintendent Ayres praised the school’s establishment, highlighting the community’s support and the importance of creating a positive culture. He noted the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony, which honored the legacy of Aquilla J. Morgan and was attended by family members.

In addition to the new school opening, Superintendent Ayres reported a substantial improvement in the district’s academic performance. The district’s school grades had improved significantly, with the district just one point shy of achieving an A-rated status. Ayres predicted that the upcoming graduation rates for the class of 2025 would be the highest in the district’s history. Notably, 98% of schools achieved an A, B, or C rating. Twelve schools improved to an A rating, while eighteen moved to a B rating. Ayres invited principals Jeff Cooley and Skyler Geyer to share their schools’ successful strategies in achieving these ratings.

Skyler Geyer, principal of Mendonhall Elementary, detailed the school’s growth from a C to an A rating, attributing the success to dedicated staff and a focus on individualized academic goals for students. Weekly one-on-one sessions with students during lunch were instrumental in tracking progress and encouraging student ownership of their learning. Geyer emphasized that the school community was celebrating more than just a grade, recognizing the potential of every student.

Similarly, Jeff Cooley, principal of Kenly Elementary, celebrated the school’s first A rating in nearly 100 years. He emphasized the importance of treating students as individuals rather than labeling them by their performance, highlighting that all students in the bottom quartile in English Language Arts made academic gains. Cooley credited the shift in mindset among staff and collaborative efforts across the school for this achievement.

Superintendent Ayres commended the leadership of both principals, noting their roles as examples within the district. He remarked that every cohort across all grade levels saw improvement, a first in five years, with English Language Arts scores for grades three through five surpassing state averages.

The meeting also addressed operational updates as the district prepared for the new school year. Superintendent Ayres noted the arrival of over 218,000 students, with approximately 80,000 expected to use school buses. He highlighted the district’s progress in reducing staffing vacancies, with about 50 bus driver vacancies compared to 150 the previous year and 200 fewer instructional vacancies. Ayres attributed this improvement to the passing of the millage referendum and expressed gratitude to Hillsborough County voters for their support.

Deputy Superintendent of Operations Christopher Farkas provided an overview of summer projects, noting that 58 were completed, including renovations at Hillsborough High School. He acknowledged the half-penny sales tax’s role in funding these improvements and assured the board of the operational team’s readiness for the upcoming school year, particularly in addressing any air conditioning issues.

Attendance emerged as a critical focus for the district, with Superintendent Ayres emphasizing the importance of student presence for academic success. Efforts at schools like Mendenhall and Kenly highlighted the significance of attendance initiatives. Principal Emma Morgan of Broward Elementary presented her school’s “Never Been Absent” program, which incentivizes good attendance with monthly celebrations for students maintaining a 95% or higher attendance rate. Morgan reported that this initiative had successfully raised the attendance rate to 93%.

Updates on student nutrition revealed that breakfast is free for all students, with pizza being a popular item. Shaney Hall, head of Student Nutrition, elaborated on the student-centered menu, which includes new items like chicken and beef fajitas and teriyaki beef, while maintaining stable lunch prices despite rising costs.

The meeting also introduced updated policies regarding cell phone usage in schools, following a new state law aimed at minimizing classroom distractions. Elementary and middle school students are required to keep phones off and stored away during school hours, while high school students must have phones off unless permitted by a teacher. The policy allows high school administrations discretion to designate phone use during lunch or passing periods.

Additionally, the opening of Plant City Technical College was announced, with courses in various vocational fields set to begin in January. The district introduced new communication tools, including a revamped website and a mobile app, to enhance connectivity between families and schools. The new HCPS app will provide access to academic calendars and district news, while the FOCUS app will allow parents to monitor their children’s attendance and academic performance.