Idalia Shelters are open, thank you everyone

Please continue to monitor the storm through news and weather updates in collaboration with the Citrus County Sheriff’s office. Do not delay evacuations. Our shelters are open at several Citrus County Schools and CF. A list of those locations is provided below.

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those in our Citrus County Schools district and school levels who have been monitoring, preparing, and are now managing our shelters for our students, families, and community. I want to pause and give special thanks to some who have been playing important roles behind the scenes: Superintendent Himmel, who made sure all our departments and schools had the support they needed, including releasing payroll early so staff could make provisions for their families; Assistant Superintendent Jonny Bishop, who has tirelessly supported all the team leaders at the district and schools; Assistant Superintendent Dr. Hebert and Chief Academic Officers Trish Kahler, Steven Baumer, and the Risk Management Department, who have been at the Citrus Emergency Operations Center, monitoring and collaborating with our partners at the Citrus Board of County Commissions and Sheriff; School Board Police Chief David Vincent and his team, Eric Stokes, our facilities teams, and all our school maintenance teams who have been preparing schools to serve as shelters. Extra thanks to all our administrators, staff, food service teams, and custodial teams that will remain on-site throughout the storm, working rotating shifts, and in some cases, staying overnight to manage the shelters. We also extend our appreciation to our School Guardians and Student Resource Officers (SROs) who are also present in our shelters. Added appreciation to our Senator Blaise Ingoglia and State Representative Dr. Ralph Massullo, who each, along with their staff have checked in with me and offered their support. (If I have left anyone out, I apologize; it is very unintentional.)

Lastly, I want to thank all educators, staff, transportation teams, and administrators who prepared each of their schools and locations for the storm, and for all they have been doing to keep our students, staff, and schools safe.

Please continue to hold our community and state in your prayers. God bless Citrus County!

The following general population shelter locations are open:

• Central Ridge Elementary, 185 West Citrus Springs Blvd., Citrus Springs
• Citrus High School, 600 W Highland Blvd, Inverness
• Citrus Springs Middle School, 150 W Citrus Springs Blvd, Citrus Springs (Gen. Population)
• Forest Ridge Elementary, 2927 North Forest Ridge Blvd., Hernando (Special Needs)
• Renaissance Center, 3630 W Educational Path, Lecanto (Pet Friendly)
• College of Central Florida, 3800 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto (Shelter of Last Resort)

Comments Off on Idalia Shelters are open, thank you everyone
Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates

School Visits to Hernando Elementary and Inverness Middle Schools

I had the privilege of visiting two of our vibrant schools today – Hernando Elementary School and Inverness Middle School. These experiences are among my favorite activities as a school board member, and they are truly enlightening. Stepping into the heart of these institutions, I had the opportunity to witness the dedicated efforts of educators and the boundless enthusiasm of students.

At Hernando Elementary School, I had the pleasure of visiting various classrooms, each serving as a hub of creativity and knowledge. One standout moment was spending time in Miss Sachewicz’s art class. Interestingly, I’ve known Miss Sachewicz since her own kindergarten days, and witnessing her channel her passion for art into fostering students’ creativity was genuinely heartwarming. The students were engaged and excited, eagerly participating in the assignment. The walls of Hernando Elementary School were adorned with a colorful tapestry of evidence showcasing the students’ mastery, a testament to their growth and development.

Moving on to Inverness Middle School, the enthusiasm remained palpable. I had the opportunity to observe Mr. Gatton, affectionately known as “coach,” interacting with his students. The positive relationships formed between educators and students were evident, creating an environment of positivity and care. Mr. Cummings was another educator who left a lasting impression, as students gravitated towards him with a sense of support and camaraderie. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as students greeted both educators with high-fives and smiles.

An enriching aspect of my visit was stopping by the Citrus County Education Foundation‘s Supplies 4 Success free store at WTC, a collaborative effort with Suncoast Schools Credit Union. This initiative supports students by providing essential supplies at no cost to students and educators, ensuring that every student has the tools they need to thrive in their educational journey.

The day spent in these schools underscored the power of education in shaping futures and fostering meaningful connections. Witnessing educators’ dedication and students’ eagerness to learn served as an inspiring reminder of the transformative impact of a nurturing learning environment.

Comments Off on School Visits to Hernando Elementary and Inverness Middle Schools
Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates

FSBA Friend of Education Award Recipient Dr. Ralph Massullo, M.D.

I was incredibly blessed serving as the Florida School Board Association President for the 2023-2024 term at our Citrus County School Board meeting on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, to help present and honor Dr. Ralph Massullo, M.D., our Florida House Representative for District 23.

This past session Dr. Massullo served as the Chairman of the important House Education and Employment Committee, playing a vital role in shaping education policies in Florida. Dr. Massullo also serves on the Appropriations Committee and the Health & Human Services Committee, bringing his expertise and experience as a successful dermatologist and entrepreneur to the table.

Dr. Massullo’s passion for education is evident in his tireless advocacy for broadening Career and Technical Education opportunities and pathways for Florida students. As a dyslexic person myself, I additionally value Dr. Massullo’s belief that individualized education is vital to student success. His commitment to advancing education has made him a powerful leader in the state legislature, where he regularly demonstrates his willingness to collaborate with any legislator.

During the recent 2023 Florida legislative session, Dr. Massullo played an instrumental role in ensuring that our at-risk students in the Class of 2023 continued to have opportunities to graduate high school by maintaining concordant scores and opportunities for students who required alternative assessment options. His success in this matter has had a significant impact on students who have fulfilled all the requirements to graduate but have not yet passed the State Standardized tests required for graduation. This effort resulted in nearly 50 students from Citrus County alone and 1000s through Florida in the Class of 2023 being able to graduate due to Dr. Massullo’s work.

In recognition of his exceptional service, the Florida School Board Association is proud to bestow upon Representative Dr. Ralph Massullo the 2023 Friend of Education Award.

Citrus Chronicle Coverage – CLICK HERE

Comments Off on FSBA Friend of Education Award Recipient Dr. Ralph Massullo, M.D.
Filed under: Blog Posts, News & Updates