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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. Hillsborough advocates get a jump on campaign for special school tax
    Yesterday• The Education Gradebook
  2. Hillsborough debates school cellphone rules; decision expected in June
    March 26• The Education Gradebook
  3. Does Hillsborough need a new schools tax? Board candidates are divided.
    March 15• The Education Gradebook
  5. 2 Hillsborough County schools to get new principals
    March 5• The Education Gradebook
  6. Tampa’s Just Elementary and Stewart Middle will be rebuilt, officials say
    Feb. 29• The Education Gradebook
  7. Hillsborough needs new tax to solve teacher shortages, superintendent says
    Feb. 27• The Education Gradebook
  8. Hillsborough fills principal job, drawing from a soon-to-close school
    Feb. 21• The Education Gradebook
  9. Hillsborough school board hopefuls agree on key issues but spar on others
    Feb. 16• The Education Gradebook
  10. Hillsborough has a new way of teaching kids to read. Inside one classroom.
    Feb. 13• The Education Gradebook
  11. Hillsborough district approves new principals at 2 schools
    Feb. 6• The Education Gradebook
  12. Hillsborough announces Blake High educator as Teacher of the Year
    Feb. 2• The Education Gradebook
  13. Discipline problems are dropping in Hillsborough schools, officials say
    Jan. 30• The Education Gradebook
  14. Former Hillsborough principal Johnny Bush enters school board race
    Jan. 16• The Education Gradebook
  15. Hillsborough to announce its top educators soon. Here are the finalists.
    Dec. 26, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  16. Meet the 10 finalists vying for Pinellas County teacher of the year
    Dec. 25, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  17. Hillsborough has more D and F schools than any district in Florida
    Dec. 19, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  18. Hillsborough officials sobered as state grades show too many D and F schools
    Dec. 13, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  19. Tampa all-boys school to get a new principal
    Dec. 12, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  20. Florida releases 2023 school grades based on new tests
    Dec. 11, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  21. When a Hillsborough middle school banned cell phones, here’s what happened
    Dec. 5, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  22. Times hosts second Spotlight Tampa Bay event, with focus on education
    Nov. 30, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  23. Why are Hillsborough schools under federal scrutiny for alleged discrimination?
    Nov. 28, 2023• The Education Gradebook
  24. Hillsborough’s Bailey Elementary School to get a new principal
    Nov. 28, 2023• The Education Gradebook