Support the Referendum, Support Teachers
Support for the upcoming millage increase will have a direct impact on our district’s ability to recruit and retain high quality teachers, who we need to help students close these achievement gaps.
At least 75 percent of the millage rate increase would be used to increase compensation for teachers and support staff. HCPS has also committed referendum funding to protect and expand art, music, physical education and workforce programs.
- The 4-year referendum is projected to increase funding for the district around $146 million annually.
- Property owners would pay $1 for every $1,000 in assessed home value.
- With a Florida law called Save our Homes, tax assessment increases are capped at 3% to help ensure Floridians aren’t priced out of their own homes.
Celebrating our Mentors, Graduating Seniors and Another PERFECT Score for our Mentoring Program
For the first time since the start of the pandemic, our mentors, mentees, their families and HEF’s Take Stock in Children mentoring team came together for our Mentor Appreciation Party. This year, there was a lot to celebrate!
We named our 2022 Mentor of the Year,
Our longest serving mentors were honored,
100% of our Senior Class of 2022 graduated,
And much more!
Donor Spotlight: Dr. Marie Whelan
Our work doesn’t happen without the generosity of our donors. That’s why we dedicate a section in our monthly newsletter to showcase the individuals and companies making our mission possible.
For this month’s feature, we are celebrating donor and mentor, Marie Whelan.
Dr. Marie Whelan knew since she was a freshman in high school that she wanted to dedicate her life to education and helping students.
Marie, her husband, Mick and her son are all graduates of Gaither High School. After earning her degree at USF, Marie pursued her dream of a career in education in Hillsborough County Public Schools. Marie first worked as a Special Education teacher at the secondary level, then as a student intervention specialist. In 2004, as a Middleton High School administrator, she learned about Hillsborough Education Foundation and our work providing resources and support to students and teachers at our highest needs schools.
“Students are very near and dear to my heart. My mentee wrote me a note saying that she really looks forward to our talks and sharing updates on how she’s doing in school. I feel like I’m making an impact,” she said.