Before jumping into our regular Preview, I thought I would remind regular site viewers and inform new ones that the following story was part of HNS Reports for JUNE 17.  For whatever reason (cough-dead-tree media-cough), people are talking about it now. 

NO MORE ZERO GRADES FOR HERNANDO ELEMENTARY STUDENTS?

School board members Tuesday [June 16] heard from staff about a new draft procedures manual which would eliminate zero grades for elementary schools.  Under the proposal, the lowest possible grade would be 40%, and scores between 40 and 49 would automatically be given a grade of 49%.  Staff said they believed zero grades unfairly penalized students and created a problem for motivating harder work, since even the best possible work would make raising the zero grade to a passing mark very difficult. They described the theory as giving elementary students a more realistic possibility of reward for hard work to bring the low grade back up.  School Board members indicated approval, and staff will finalize the draft procedures manual for formal approval later.

As an update, the full School Board is expected to vote on this and other policy changes at the next regular meeting,  Now on to the preview:

There's not much to look forward to this last week of June.  The government meeting schedule is light, and it's likely a lot of folks have already started mid-summer vacations in advance of the Fourth of July next Saturday.  In any case, here's what's on my calendar for coverage in the coming week.

MONDAY

We're into the home stretch now for the David Hamilton Budget Road Tour...this week in Spring Hill, Hernando Beach, and then the really big interactive show from the Board chambers at the Government Center in Brooksville.  For Monday, the budget input town hall meeting is in the heart of Spring Hill:

Hernando County administrator's budget workshop/meeting, 6:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, 10470 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill.

TUESDAY

Tuesday afternoon Hamilton visits the Beach.

Hernando County administrator's budget workshop/meeting, 2 p.m., Coast Guard Auxiliary, 4340 Calienta St., Hernando Beach.

There's also the first of three public workshops on transportation planning.  East county residents get first crack:

Hernando County Metropolitan Planning Organization, public transportation workshop, 4 p.m., East Hernando Branch Library, 6437 Windmere Road, Ridge Manor West.

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday night is your chance to participate from the comfort of home, thanks to the Interwebs tubes:

Hernando County administrator's budget workshop/meeting,6:30 p.m., commission chambers, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main St., Brooksville. Also televised on Hernando County Government Broadcasting and web-streamed live on the Internet...submit your questions and comments by phone or interactive e-mail.

The Hernando County Port Authority also has a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday night at the Port Authority building on Shoal Line Blvd. at Jenkins Creek.

THURSDAY

Transportation workshop number two is for west county residents:

Hernando County Metropolitan Planning Organization, public transportation workshop, 3 p.m., West Hernando/S.T. Foggia Branch Library, 6335 Blackbird Ave., Spring Hill.

FRIDAY

The bigger and better Nature Coast Freedom Fest at Florida Classic Park on Lockhart Road just south of Cortez and west of I-75 gets started at 3 p.m.---five dollars to park and five dollars admission.  In addition to Hernando County's only officially sanctioned fireworks display, the Freedom Fest will feature local singers and musicians on the concert stage, leading up to headliner Rodney Atkins, who will undoubtedly reprise his five #1 country music hits and his latest, "15 Minutes."  Personally, I think it's hard to beat these lyrics:

I got a call from my best friend this evening
He said he wasn’t going out with us guys on Friday night
Yeah he was gonna change
For his new-found flame
To keep her satisfied
I just laughed and said ‘Hey man
Well go ahead and try’

‘Cause I gave up smokin’,
Women and drinkin’ last night
And it was the worst
15 minutes of my life

Now I’ve heard it said
That too much fun’ll kill you
And I’ll be the first to tell you
That I don’t wanna die
Too many twelve-ounce curls, pretty girls
And parties ain’t advised
Well take it from me
Don’t believe all that hype

‘Cause I gave up smokin’,
Women and drinkin’ last night
And it was the worst
15 minutes of my life
That’s right

You can get hit by a truck tomorrow
So you might as well raise a little hell tonight

‘Cause I gave up smokin’,
Women and drinkin’ last night
And it was the worst
15 minutes of my life
Man it was the worst
15 minutes of my life
That’s right

Never again…