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By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

LUTZ - Families in Lutz all the way south to Town 'N Country should pay attention to the progress of Steinbrenner High School.

The school doesn't open for another year, but construction is under way, as are discussions about who will attend it.

The Hillsborough County School District wants to have proposals for boundaries for Steinbrenner before the school board by December. Bill Person, general director for pupil placement and support programs, said district staff members started meeting this summer with schools that could lose students to redistricting.

Person hopes to meet with parent-teacher associations at affected schools in August and present plans to the community in the fall. Once officials collect feedback, they will bring a final proposal to the school board for approval.

Though Steinbrenner is being built to relieve crowding at neighboring Sickles and Gaither, the district will rely on it to help Alonso as well. Alonso students would be unlikely to go to Steinbrenner, located on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, but Person said the district may transfer some to Sickles if enough Sickles students are assigned to the new high school.

Cathy Valdes, the district's chief facilities officer, said the high school construction is on schedule. The district also is on track to open Smith Middle School in Citrus Park next month.

Valdes expects school staff will be able to move in at the beginning of August. Students return to class on Aug. 18.

Reporter Courtney Cairns Pastor can be reached at (813) 865-1503 or cpastor@tampatrib.com.

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