A focus of the meeting centered on the winners of the 2024 Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair, where students from various levels of education—elementary, middle, and high schools—were recognized for their innovative projects. The board also celebrated students participating in the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program and the Mission Patch Competition Mission 18, which offers a unique opportunity for their scientific experiments to be conducted on the International Space Station.

The Black History Brain Bowl 2024 champions were also honored at the meeting, with the Hillsborough Alliance of Black School Educators (HABSE) commended for their work in organizing the event, which saw participation from several schools. The growth of the HABSE clubs was notable, with 44 clubs established within a year. The board praised the efforts of Dr. Beverly in organizing the Brain Bowl and other events, emphasizing the high level of student performance. Furthermore, the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) initiative was recognized for its role in engaging African American high school students in enrichment programs and competitions.

The meeting also took time to commend individuals and organizations that have supported the district’s schools and students. The Department of Education HCPS Volunteer Award recipients were acknowledged, with school principals introducing outstanding volunteers from their schools. The support from Suncoast Credit Union for volunteer programs was recognized with gratitude. A custodian at Mulrennan Middle School received special recognition for saving a child from choking.

The Hillsborough Public School Advocates and Beef ‘O’ Brady’s were thanked for offering $22,000 in grant funds to qualifying Hillsborough public schools, particularly those designated as community and Title I schools. Jessica Dubois, CEO of Public School Advocates, gave an overview of the organization’s fundraising efforts and announced the grant recipients. The grants aim to benefit schools such as Shields Middle, Pierce Middle, McDonald Elementary, Armwood High School, Jennings Middle, Tampa Bay Tech, Brandon High School, Gibsonton Elementary, Cora Elementary, and others. Additionally, food pantry grants and a $500 grant to Bernie Elementary for their Spring Fling event were part of the contributions designed to enhance educational opportunities and support for students.

Recognition was also given to Harvard Jolly and Beck for receiving the Planning and Design Merit Award for New High School UUU. The architectural firm discussed the award-winning design and planning, which focused on infrastructure improvements and community engagement.

Another notable topic was the district’s recognition for energy-efficient initiatives. The board highlighted the achievement of 2023 Energy Star Certified Buildings and discussed the district’s efficiency in managing resources. Presentations included data on the district’s ranking in capital outlay per student and cost per square foot. The district’s implementation of initiatives such as LED lighting and solar projects was noted for reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.