By Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
TAMPA — As a monstrous storm loomed outside the windows, a flurry of concerns stirred inside the Hillsborough County school board chambers.
There were frustrations about the school calendar, early release dates and exam schedules. Questions about Advanced Placement credits and fear of budget cuts. Suggestions for more healthy cafeteria options and requests to ease fundraising restrictions.
Almost 100 students from nearly 30 schools brought those issues and more to the county School Board Tuesday afternoon as part of an annual student forum. The two-hour conference was cut short due to an approaching storm, but the students pressed on nonetheless.
"For the past two years, first semester exams have been after winter break. Winter break is a long time, you know?" said Armwood High School student Travis Comrey. "Can't we have exams before winter break?"
He wasn't the only ...