Post-Hurricane Hellene Recovery – First Day Back for Students, Educators, and Staff

Today marked the first day back for students, educators, and staff following the devastating impact of Hurricane Hellene. I spent the day visiting several schools across the district to assess recovery efforts and observe the resilience of our educational community as students returned to the classroom.

At Crystal River High School (CRHS), Lecanto Primary School (LPS), Crystal River Middle School (CRMS), and Crystal River Primary School (CRP), I witnessed firsthand the tremendous work being done to restore learning environments. Recovery teams were hard at work assessing damage, cleaning, drying, and sanitizing facilities to ensure a safe return for both students and staff.

To maintain a learning environment and begin the recovery process, it was necessary to temporarily relocate students from CRMS to CRHS, and about half of CRP students to LPS. This was no small endeavor, and something we had largely never done before.

A Community Coming Together

The collaboration and support among our educators, administrators, staff, district leaders, and volunteers have been truly inspiring. This unified effort will help our students and community thrive. A heartwarming example occurred at LPS, where CRP students, temporarily relocated due to storm damage, were greeted with high-fives from the Lecanto High School cheerleaders and the mascots of both LPS and CRP as they arrived by bus. This welcoming gesture created an atmosphere of warmth and comfort for the displaced students.

Thanks to our district’s robust digital integration of the curriculum, CRP teachers were able to continue their lessons seamlessly in the unfamiliar classrooms at LPS. LPS Principal Mollie Chandler and Chief Academic Officer Amy Crowell ensured that Teacher Edition curriculum sets and classroom supplies were ready for CRP teachers in their temporary classrooms, allowing them to focus on teaching without missing a beat.

Leadership Amidst Challenges

At CRHS, Principal Brian Lancaster and his team quickly adapted to meet the needs of the displaced CRMS students. They converted three large spaces—the gym, cafeteria, and field house—into temporary learning environments. Even the CRHS JROTC gun range was repurposed as a support room for CRMS staff. These unprecedented solutions highlight the district’s ability to face logistical challenges with creativity and resourcefulness. CRHS students, staff, and leaders also had to adjust their environments to collaborate effectively.

Another touching show of support came from CRHS Culinary Arts teacher Autumn Crabtree. After hearing that CRMS staff had been working tirelessly, she and her students prepared fresh chicken salad meals for them. This gesture exemplifies the district’s commitment to supporting one another during difficult times.

Unsung Heroes: Staff, Volunteers, and Technology Teams

We owe deep gratitude to the administration teams at CRHS, LPS, CRMS, and CRP, as well as the departments that have been instrumental in keeping our schools running. From food services and custodial staff to school resource officers and guardians, their dedication has been unwavering. Our technology department has also played a critical role in meeting the digital needs of students and teachers, proving themselves to be essential workers in this recovery process.

District Executive Director for Risk Management, Steven Baumer, has done an outstanding job leading recovery efforts, coordinating with the Florida School Board Insurance Trust (FSBIT) to ensure that repairs and restoration are progressing swiftly. We are also grateful for the many volunteers and local organizations that have stepped in to offer support wherever it’s needed.

Looking Ahead

While there is still much to be done, the strength and unity of our community are undeniable. There will be more challenges to navigate, but by continuing to work together and extending grace to one another, we will overcome these obstacles and emerge stronger. Though we may not have all the answers immediately, our collective efforts will ensure that our schools and students not only recover but thrive.

Everyone is working together to minimize the amount of time it will take to restore these learning environments. Let’s continue to support each other and work collaboratively toward a full recovery. Together, we will succeed.

Check Out Photos

Check out these great photos from the Citrus County School District Facebook page, capturing the excitement of welcoming back staff and students for the new school year: Citrus County School District Facebook Page.

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Preparing for Hurricane Helene: Citrus County Schools Open as Shelters

Schools Serving as Shelters and Staff Working Tirelessly to Protect Our Community Ahead of hurricane

As Hurricane Helene approaches, our Citrus County School System is responding with remarkable efficiency and dedication. Several schools have been designated as evacuation shelters, and our facility and administrative teams have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and comfort of our community during this critical time.

Our Crystal River High School, Crystal River Middle School, Crystal River Primary School, and Homosassa Elementary School—located west of Highway 19—have been preparing all day for the potential storm surge. These schools are positioned in vulnerable areas, and we are grateful to our dedicated staff for their efforts to better prepare these schools for the storm ahead.

In addition to these schools, we have two other critical facilities west of Highway 19—the Academy of Environmental Science and the Marine Science Station. Ernie Hopper and his team at the Academy of Environmental Science have been diligently preparing for the storm’s impact. Meanwhile, the Marine Science Station team, led by Supervisor Earnie Olsen, alongside Bryan Brooks, Sheryl Janecek, Tonya Capp Briggs, and Josh O’Leary, has been working hard to ensure the facility is secure. While this team is no stranger to hurricane preparation, Hurricane Helene presents a particularly concerning challenge, given the potential for significant storm surge and flooding.

Four of our other schools in the district have officially opened as evacuation shelters, and they are being staffed around the clock by members of our school administrative teams, food service workers, and other school personnel, all in coordination with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and County Government. These shelters are essential for ensuring that residents have a safe place to stay during the storm. Our Director of Food Services, Roy Pistone, and his team have been working tirelessly to ensure that each shelter is fully stocked with food and supplies to meet the needs of both evacuees and staff.

As our facility teams transform these schools into shelters, they have shown extraordinary resilience and commitment. Once the storm passes, they will begin the difficult process of reversing the conversion, cleaning the shelters, and preparing the schools to reopen for normal operations. This process requires a great deal of coordination, but our teams have proven time and again that they are up to the task.

Our school system is more than just a place of learning—it’s a pillar of strength in times of crisis. Our community is strong, and we will face the storm together, united in our resolve to protect each other and our homes. We ask for prayers for our community, our leaders, and our state as Hurricane Helene draws nearer. Together, we will weather this storm, and in its aftermath, we will rebuild and restore.

In preparation for the storm, we want to remind residents that the following shelters are open now as of Wednesday, September 25, at 2 PM:

General Population Shelters:

• Citrus High School (cafeteria): 600 West Highland Blvd, Inverness, Florida 34452
• Central Ridge Elementary School: 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs, Florida 34434

Special Needs Shelters:

• Forest Ridge Elementary School: 2927 N Forest Ridge Blvd, Hernando, FL 34442

Pet-Friendly Shelters:

• Renaissance Center: 3630 West Educational Path, Lecanto, Florida 34461

For further assistance, please contact the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Citizen Information Line at 352-249-2775, open from Wednesday, September 25, 8 AM-10 PM. They will reopen on Thursday, September 26, at 8 AM and remain open until 4 PM.

We are incredibly grateful to all the staff and volunteers who have worked around the clock to prepare our schools, shelters, and resources in anticipation of this storm. God bless our Citrus County, and stay safe as we navigate this challenge together.

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A Major Investment in Our Future: HCA Healthcare Foundation’s $60,000 Grant to Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers

The HCA Healthcare Foundation has announced a significant $60,000 grant to the Crystal River High School (CRHS) Academy of Health Careers, marking a pivotal investment in the future of healthcare education in Citrus County. This grant, provided through the Healthier Tomorrow Fund, will be distributed over three years at $20,000 annually. It aims to enhance the existing Academy program, which has been a cornerstone of health career training in the district. The funding will support expanded training opportunities for instructors, cover certification costs for students, and introduce new certifications, ensuring that the Academy continues to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce.

This grant is not only an investment in education but also a direct contribution to the well-being and health of our community. The CRHS Academy of Health Careers, which is the oldest magnet program within Citrus County Schools, has proudly served students for nearly 30 years. During this time, it has developed a stellar reputation as arguably the most successful high school Career Technical Education program in the district, and perhaps even in the region. The Academy’s contributions to the workforce over the years are undeniable, having produced thousands of nurses, doctors, first responders, engineers, military leaders, and other health professionals who now serve both locally and beyond.

The HCA Healthcare Foundation’s grant will help expand several of the Academy’s pathways, which include Certified Nursing Assistant, BioMedical Technician, Dental Assistant, EMS/EMT, and Veterinary Assistant tracks. These pathways not only provide students with valuable hands-on experience but also offer certifications that are vital for entering the healthcare workforce upon graduation. The funds will be used to cover the costs of these certifications, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent our students from achieving their goals.

Moreover, the grant will fund additional training for our instructors and introduce new certifications to the Academy, ensuring that the curriculum remains cutting-edge and aligned with the healthcare industry’s evolving needs. These advancements are critical, especially considering the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Workforce Needs Study, which estimates a shortage of approximately 463,000 healthcare workers by the end of 2024. By enhancing the educational offerings at the Academy, we are not only preparing students for these in-demand jobs but also helping to alleviate the strain on the healthcare system by cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals.

The CRHS Academy of Health Careers stands as a model of success for our district and our community. Programs like these are a beacon of hope for our students, offering them pathways to rewarding and impactful careers. Many of the Academy’s graduates have gone on to work right here in Citrus County, ensuring that our healthcare system is staffed by well-trained professionals who have a deep connection to the community they serve.

This grant would not have been possible without the partnership between HCA Florida Citrus Hospital and the Citrus County Education Foundation. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Lisa Nummi, CEO of HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, for recognizing the importance of this Academy and committing to its continued growth. As Lisa so eloquently put it, “By investing in the Crystal River High School Academy of Health Careers, we are not only supporting local education but also cultivating a pipeline of skilled professionals who will contribute to the future of healthcare.”

I encourage everyone in our great community to celebrate this moment and recognize the profound impact that this investment will have on the future of healthcare in Citrus County. The CRHS Academy of Health Careers is not just a school program—it’s a lifeline to our community’s future health and prosperity. We are incredibly fortunate to have HCA Healthcare as a partner in this effort, and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that will undoubtedly arise from this significant contribution.

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