PASCO COUNTY, Fla. -- Community members in Pasco County are getting an in-depth look at the school district's inner workings through the county's first Citizens' Academy.
- Pasco County Schools to hold first Citizens' Academy
- Members to learn about inner workings of school district
- Future academies to be held in the coming years
Forty-five people were picked from more than 100 applicants to take part in the program. They'll tour schools and hear from department heads about everything from how the school board functions to what goes into putting together a budget, to how meals for students are prepared.
The academy will meet once a month throughout the school year. A lot of the topics covered are issues people can learn about at board meetings, but taken a step further.
"When somebody comes to a board meeting, they don't necessarily hear all the discussions that went on before the item got to the board meeting," Linda Cobe, Pasco County Schools PIO, said. "So this is going to be more in-depth, it's going to be intimate, and it's be that have an interest, who want to learn more."
The hope is that giving people a better idea of how the district functions will give them the tools to better participate when issues arise that are important to them.
A spokesman said the district plans to hold future academies in coming years.