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Pinellas Schools Public Hearing To Air Budget Cut Plans

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By YOLANDA FERNANDEZ | News Channel 8

Published: December 9, 2008

The Pinellas County School Board expects an overflow crowd at a meeting at 5 p.m. today to discuss ways to cut next year's budget.

School officials have received hundreds of e-mails from parents and others worried about plans to close six elementary schools, consolidate four middle schools in two locations and eliminate the grandfathering provision for student assignments.

This will be one of two opportunities for people to comment on proposed budget cuts.

The school district faces a shortfall of more than $40 million for next year.

In addition to closing Clearview Elementary, a decision made in 2007, district staff members are suggesting the closure of Palm Harbor Elementary, Kings Highway Elementary, North Ward Elementary, Rio Vista Elementary and Gulf Beaches Elementary. The closings, along with moving Coachman Fundamental Middle School's program to Kennedy Middle School and Southside Fundamental to Madeira Beach, would save the district $7.5 million.

Parents of children at some of the schools slated for closing have held save-our-school rallies and plan to pack the board meeting tonight.

Under the existing grandfathering rule, students and their younger siblings may attend an out-of-zone school and receive bus transportation. At a workshop last week, school officials explored the option of eliminating grandfathering for elementary school students but allowing middle and high school students to remain at their current schools with bus transportation provided.

Many parents would like the board to consider permitting grandfathering among elementary students even if parents must arrange for private transportation to and from campus.

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