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Marlene Sokol - Education Reporter
Marlene Sokol

Education Reporter

I’ve been a journalist since 1983 at newspapers all over Florida. After 15 years as an editor in the Tampa suburbs I was assigned to cover the Hillsborough public school system, the same one that gave my two children a great education. That last part didn't happen by itself. I was an active volunteer and believe schools should accommodate parents' busy schedules. I’m not a fan of the 3 p.m. parent conference or 10 a.m. PTA meeting! On weekends I play tennis and volunteer at a youth soccer program. Call or email me with your tips about the schools. I use Facebook for family and Twitter for self-promotion. But I prefer my conversations one-on-one.

  1. Pinellas School Board member Lisa Cane faces challenges from right and left
    Yesterday• The Education Gradebook
    From left, Brad DeCorte, incumbent Lisa Cane and Bronson Oudshoff are competing to represent District 2 on the Pinellas County School Board.
  2. Hillsborough board approves new principals for 3 more schools
    Jul. 12• The Education Gradebook
    The Hillsborough School Board approved three new principal assignments on July 12, 2022. From left, they are Carmen Harris, Kimbell Elementary; Michelle Perez, Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary; and Lipi Datta-Reid, Woodson K-8.
  3. Hillsborough candidates differ on proposed property tax for schools
    Jul. 11• The Education Gradebook
    Candidates wait to answer questions from the audience during the Tiger Bay candidate forum for the Hillsborough School Board on June 17, 2022, at The Cuban Club in Tampa. From left are Alysha "Aly Marie" Legge, Karen Perez, Roshaun Gendrett, Danielle Smalley, Hunter Gambrell and Damaris Allen.
  5. Florida school grades show upward trend, state says
    Jul. 7• The Education Gradebook
    “It’s clear that our teachers and school leaders used every resource at their disposal to lift Florida’s students well beyond expectations,” Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. said in a statement.
  6. Hillsborough sets quicker timetable for study of school boundaries
    Jun. 22• The Education Gradebook
    During the 2021-22 school year, only 39 percent of students in the attendance area for Giunta Middle School were enrolled there, with most families opting for choices such as magnet programs and charter schools. The Riverview school has a D grade from the state. A new study will take a closer look at Hillsborough County's school boundaries, which officials say are outdated.
  7. Hillsborough board votes to change Tampa school’s Native American mascot
    Jun. 22• The Education Gradebook
    Chamberlain High School's "Chiefs" logo, pictured on Oct. 20, 2021, is visible on the building at 9401 N Blvd. in Tampa. By a 5-1 vote, the Hillsborough County School Board on Tuesday sided with the school’s Student Government Association, which recommended retiring the "Chiefs" mascot after consulting with Native American parents who called for the change and alumni leaders who opposed it.
  8. Hillsborough board approves new principals at 17 schools
    Jun. 21• The Education Gradebook
    Jefferson High School is one of 17 schools in Hillsborough County that received new principals on June 21.
  9. Hillsborough superintendent Addison Davis is up for a longer contract
    Jun. 20• The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough County School Board members will consider a contract extension Tuesday for superintendent Addison Davis, who has been working for the district since early 2020.
  10. Hillsborough School Board candidates are cautious as they launch campaigns
    Jun. 17• The Education Gradebook
    From left, Aly Legge, Karen Perez and Roshaun Gendrett wait their turn to answer questions during the Tiger Bay forum for Hillsborough County School Board candidates on Friday, June 17, 2022, at The Cuban Club in Tampa. The three are running for the District 6 seat, now held by Perez.
  11. Tampa Bay school board races are set amid high political interest
    Jun. 17• The Education Gradebook
    Voters will select school board members in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties in the August and November elections.
  12. One Hillsborough school prepares to scrap its Native American mascot, another does not
    Jun. 15• The Education Gradebook
    Chamberlain High School's "Chiefs" logo, pictured on Oct. 20, 2022, is visible on the building at 9401 N Blvd. in Tampa.
  13. Hillsborough appoints new principals at 15 schools
    Jun. 7• The Education Gradebook
    Kevin Gordon was named the new principal of Hillsborough High School on June 7, 2022. He previously worked for Pinellas County Schools, most recently as an assistant principal at Meadowlawn Middle School in St. Petersburg.
  14. If property values are soaring, why do school districts need more money?
    May 31• The Education Gradebook
    At a May 26 meeting in Wesley Chapel's Seven Oaks community, residents posed questions about a proposed special property tax to boost revenue for Pasco County schools.
  15. Kevin Hendrick is named Pinellas County’s new school superintendent
    May 17• The Education Gradebook
    Kevin Hendrick, as a finalist for the job of Pinellas Schools Superintendent speaks to the crowd during a meet and greet at Pinellas County School District headquarters on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 in Largo. The School Board voted unanimously on May 17 to give him the job.
  16. 3 vie to be Pinellas’ next school superintendent. Which one will prevail?
    May 13• The Education Gradebook
    The entrance to Pinellas County school district headquarters in Largo, where the School Board will meet on May 17, 2022, to choose a new superintendent.
  17. 20 Hillsborough schools will get new principals for 2022-23
    May 10• The Education Gradebook
    April Gillyard, photographed in 2019 in the Memorial Middle cafeteria, is returning to the school as principal for the coming year.
  18. Hillsborough schools tax referendum gets backing of citizens group
    May 5• The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough County school superintendent Addison Davis says the district will not be able to keep up with salaries in surrounding counties without the help of a special property tax, which voters will consider on Aug. 23.
  19. Hillsborough school tax heads to August ballot after close vote
    Apr. 20• The Education Gradebook
    The Hillsborough County School Board, shown here at a Dec. 14, 2021, meeting, voted on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, to place a special property tax referendum on the August ballot.
  20. An East Tampa charter school offered an alternative. Now it’s closing.
    Apr. 18• The Education Gradebook
    East Tampa Academy, a small charter school, holds classes in this community center a short walk from Potter Elementary School.
  21. Pinellas schools attract a varied field of candidates for superintendent
    Apr. 14• The Education Gradebook
    Andrea Messina, executive director of the Florida School Boards Association, is seen on a screen meeting remotely with the Pinellas County School Board on March 10, 2022. Messina is assisting the district in its search to replace outgoing superintendent Mike Grego. Also shown, from left, are administrative assistant Catherine Houck, deputy superintendent William Corbett, Grego and board member Laura Hine.
  22. Hillsborough superintendent pitches referendum on new school property tax
    Apr. 12• The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough County School Superintendent Addison Davis
  23. Hillsborough schools trying to replace state money lost in stand over masks
    Apr. 6• The Education Gradebook
    Hillsborough School Board chairperson Nadia Combs, left, and superintendent Addison Davis, right, are looking for ways to restore state "A-plus" money lost in the battle over school masks.
  24. Hillsborough study will look at changing school boundaries
    Mar. 23• The Education Gradebook
    Adams Middle School in North Tampa is being used at only 46 percent capacity. Other schools in Hillsborough County are overflowing. A consultant will study attendance boundaries and search for ways to improve the balance.
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