Rotarian Marcus Caswell presented the Club’s speaker, Addison Davis, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Schools. Also present at the meeting was Hillsborough’s County Teacher of the Year, Laura Meehan.
Addison began his leadership role in March 2020. Other than having to deal with a pandemic that foundationally changed the education system, and having to deal with a budget crisis, it was a great time to step into the new role.
Addison spoke briefly about how COVID affected the school system, and acknowledged the heroic work from the community’s teachers and staff. Next, he focused his meeting on the budget crisis, and the financial health of the school system.
At the beginning of Addison’s tenure, the school system was facing a $50 million deficit. By September 2020, projections indicated the school board would not be able to fund September’s payroll, which was $75 million every two weeks. Hard decisions were necessary, including eliminating 500 positions.
Despite those cuts and despite obtaining emergency loan funds, in January 2021, projections indicated that the school system would not be able to make payroll in June 2021. Another 150 individuals were let go, and 2,000 positions deleted. These steps were necessary to avoid Receivership, which is when the State takes control of the organization. Addison assured the Club that Receivership is not an attractive solution for Hillsborough County.
Since January, the annual cash flow improved from a deficit of $32 million to a positive $49 million. However, the cash flow must improve to $65 million in order to replenish the necessary reserves and avoid Receivership. Other forms of help may be on the way; there may be up to $180 million of Federal funds that could arrive between now and June 30, followed by another $400 million.
Despite these challenges, Addison remains focused on making Hillsborough County schools to be a top-performing district. This will be accomplished by hiring, training, and supporting educators, and maximize every learning opportunity for all students.
Addison knows there is hard work ahead, but he is committed to lead the district toward the vision of providing a public education system that is admired in Florida and nationally.
Addison answered several questions from the members, and then handed out diplomas to each Rotarian. You had to be there!
