June 2, 2022
A Note from CEO Kim Jowell
The final bell has rung for this school year, and we hope students and teachers have a wonderful summer break! This summer, HEF is advocating for education and encouraging voters to learn about the referendum on the August 23rd ballot and vote “Yes!” Support for our teachers and strengthening public education is why we stand behind this.

By passing the 1 mil property tax increase, the district can increase staff compensation to remain competitive to help retain our veteran teachers and recruit new employees to ensure that every student has a highly qualified teacher in every class—giving kids the best education possible.

Quality education is the foundation of student success and it is critical for us to invest in our public schools to achieve a prosperous, thriving community for everyone. Teachers and students need and deserve our support.
Latest Literacy Rates Show the Need for the Community's Support for Students, Teachers & Schools
Recently released third grade reading scores from the 2020-2021 school year from the Florida Department of Education cause grave concern.
Data shows African American students in Florida are reading at much lower levels than white students—a gap of 29 percentage points at the state level for third grade students in English Language Arts testing.
In Hillsborough County, the gap is even wider with a 34-point achievement gap. Two-thirds of white students are reading on grade level, where as not even one-third of African American students are reading with proficiency.
This in part, may be a reflection of the impact of the pandemic and remote learning on students' academic success. It also reinforces the need for early intervention.

These unacceptable numbers at the third-grade level are mirrored in Kindergarten readiness scores, with not even half the students deemed ready in 2021. Waiting to address literacy rates in third grade is simply too late for too many children.

In the coming weeks, we'll be sharing more information about a new HEF initiative we'll be launching focused on quality instruction to improve literacy rates.
How Approving the Property Tax Referendum Can Help
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.

All of us have been impacted by a teacher. We've seen, especially during the pandemic, that they do so much more than teach. Educators really are superheroes who deserve to be paid more. With a competitive job market and critical teacher shortage, it's even more important that we invest in them now.

The district has a memorandum of understanding with the teachers union stating that 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. Read more about allocations here.

  • 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.

The cost is far greater for our students if the referendum doesn't pass with potentially devastating long-term consequences for public education and our community.
HEF Awards $500K+ in Scholarships
to Graduating Seniors
Hillsborough Education Foundation is proud to support graduating seniors' dreams of continuing their education at a university, community college or technical college through our community scholarships. We are in the process of awarding 224 Class of 2022 Seniors with community scholarships valued at more than $641,000!
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Selects 30 Students
for Leadership Academy & Scholarships
30 Hillsborough County Public Schools juniors have been working hard to get good grades, volunteering and serving as leaders and have been selected by HCSO to participate in its 2022 Rising Stars Leadership Academy!

The Class of 2023 students will take part in a week-long leadership program this summer and receive a laptop and a $1,000 scholarship to further their education after graduation next year.
HEF is grateful for our business partners, community organizations and individual donors who share our beliefs and are investing in the next generation, and we're proud to facilitate these scholarships for such deserving students.
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 Dr. Anne Lenz!

While growing up in Dayton, Ohio, the value of education was instilled in Anne at a young age. Her mother was a teacher and after moving to Tampa years later, her mom taught in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
“I saw first-hand the difficult and demanding behind-the-scenes job of teachers. Education and respect for teachers was always a priority in my childhood home. School becomes an extension of a child's family, and we are seeing that teachers serve our students in ways far beyond their academic development.”

Anne advanced her education in medical school at USF and has practiced pediatrics and pediatric endocrinology in the Tampa area since graduating in 2004.

“My experience as a pediatrician and mother of two children in the public school system has created my passion for educational equity.” 

Anne turned that passion into action. As an active PTA member, she was instrumental in the development of the Equity Fund in partnership with HEF. With support from the PTAs at Roosevelt, Mitchell, Mabry and Grady Elementary Schools and Roland Park K-8, the Equity Fund has raised more than $25,000, which HEF has matched to support students in our highest needs schools.

“The mark of a society's true character is how we treat the most vulnerable among us. Advocating for the most-needy opens opportunities for all students since rising tides raise all ships.”

She is also using her voice to serve on HEF’s Advocacy Committee and is one of five new members who will be joining our Board of Directors in July.

“I hope to help amplify community and legislative efforts that strengthen public education. Our investment into public education is what provides the greatest effort toward equal opportunities for the workforce and advancement. Seeing the good things happening in our schools gives me personal gratitude for the work of our teachers and students.” 

In addition to giving of her time, Anne and her husband, generously support HEF’s mission as donors.

“Contributing to HEF helps ensure that all students have access to the tools and resources needed to provide a robust and enriched education. Supporting the education of young people ultimately strengthens our greater community as a whole.”
We are proud to shine a spotlight on Dr. Anne Lenz and appreciate her continued support to help create equity in education for all students!