Tampabay: Waiting lists need work, board says

LARGO -- Pinellas School Board members on Tuesday spent three hours poring over a 27-page manual that will govern how school choice works -- everything from an appeals process to diversity goals to operating family education centers.

But most of the discussion focused on waiting lists.

Initially, every student who did not get his first- or second-choice school would be put on a waiting list for those schools for an entire year. Then, district officials worried that the time frame should be much shorter -- not only because it's disruptive to classrooms when students are frequently coming and going but because it would be tough to keep changing transportation services.

But on Tuesday, board members said they want to give parents as many opportunities as possible to get their top choices. They are considering two alternatives: maintaining waiting lists for the first grading period each year or allowing transfers at the end of the first grading period and at the beginning of second semester.

After the waiting lists expire, students would have to stay put through the school year and try for their top choices during the next application process.

Board members will vote on the policies at a meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. in district headquarters, 301 Fourth St. SW in Largo.

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright