Tampa Bay schools start next week. Here's what to know
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Classes resume Monday as Hillsborough and Pinellas schools welcome students back from summer break.
- Whether you're a parent, grandparent or other caretaker — or just want to avoid traffic at pick-up or drop-off time — here's what you need to know.
⏰ Bell schedule: In Hillsborough County, elementary and K-8 schools operate from 7:40am to 1:55pm; middle schools run from 9:30am to 4:30pm; and high schools are in session from 8:30am to 3:32pm.
- Bell times are less uniform in Pinellas County, with schools divided into tiers.
- Most high schools in Pinellas run from 7:25am to 1:55pm; most middle schools from 9:40am to 4:10pm; and most elementary schools from 8:45am to 2:55pm.
- You can find specific schools here and here.
📱 What's new: A new state law (HB 1105) bars cellphone use in elementary and middle schools. Teachers can no longer allow phones during class, even for educational purposes.
- All wireless devices must be off or in airplane mode for the entire school day, starting when students arrive on campus. Hillsborough had previously limited its ban to the "instructional day."
- High schoolers can't use phones during class unless a teacher allows it for schoolwork. Use outside class time is still allowed.
- Read the districts' policies: Hillsborough, Pinellas.
Meanwhile, marching band students who complete two years in the program can now earn credit for physical education or performing arts under the new law.
🍎 Teacher vacancies: There are 430 vacancies in Hillsborough, down from 600 last year, according to WFTS. Pinellas has just 30 vacancies.
- Hillsborough County teachers are set to receive a $6,000 raise this school year, funded by a tax increase approved by county voters last year that adds $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value.
💰 Back-to-school savings: Florida's sales tax break on school supplies doesn't end even after classes begin. Shoppers have until Aug. 31 to take advantage of the following exemptions:
- Clothing, footwear, wallets, handbags, backpacks, fanny packs and diaper bags priced at $100 or less per item;
- Select school supplies priced at $50 or less per item;
- Computers and related accessories priced at $1,500 or less, when purchased for personal use.