Hillsborough County Public Schools pauses dismissal and reports music teacher recovery after lightning strike close call

A school employee experienced an electrical shock during dismissal, prompting district-wide safety protocols and a 25-minute pause in student pickup for families at Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy PreK-8.

• •A music teacher at Dorothy C. York Innovation Academy PreK-8 felt a shock while holding an umbrella during a lightning strike close call.
• •The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon during school dismissal, which typically starts around 2:45 p.m.
• •Thunderstorms had developed north of Apollo Beach and began building directly over the school area.
• •The school district stated the teacher did not receive a direct hit and is recovering and returning to school.
• •School officials paused dismissal immediately upon the first sign of lightning near the front of the school and brought everybody inside.
• •The safety response resulted in a 25-minute dismissal delay.
• •Every campus across Hillsborough County Public Schools maintains specific rainy-day safety procedures tailored to its physical layout.