TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Keep Partnership Or Go With Iorio?

ADVERTISEMENT

By MICHELE SAGER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

NORTH TAMPA - The MOSI Partnership School will keep its name for at least a few more weeks.

The Hillsborough County School Board delayed approving a name for the school at the Museum of Science & Industry after a 3-3 tie Tuesday between keeping the name and changing the name to honor John Iorio.

Board member Jennifer Faliero left the meeting before the vote after she became ill and had to go to the hospital.

People spoke at Tuesday's board meeting in support of both names.

MOSI Partnership Principal Cheryl Dafeldecker said she wants to keep the current name.

"We've become a team with the MOSI personnel," Dafeldecker said. "We want to keep our MOSI name because it reflects our partnership. Let us continue the MOSI magic."

Victoria Giunta told the board she wanted the school named for her former USF English professor John Iorio, late father to Mayor Pam Iorio.

"He was the pied piper at USF," Giunta said. "He always had a couple of students in tow after a class, continuing a discussion before going to his next class. He was an honorable and earnest man."

Schools can be named for individuals who have rendered outstanding service to public education, such as U.S. presidents, school board members, educators and outstanding citizens. Schools also can be named for geographic locations and for groups and clubs, according to school district policy.

The board is expected to vote on the name again at its next board meeting Nov. 20, when all seven board members are expected to be present.

Reporter Michele Sager can be reached at (813) 865-4843 or msager@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT