Worried about the city's future as the school system changes, the mayor lines up corporate partners for every city school.
By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published April 18, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - Big changes are in store for the city's schools.
Already, students are no longer assigned to a school based on where they live. Rather, Pinellas County parents apply to any school within a broad zone for their children. Then in 2007, racial ratios that ensure desegregated schools will be lifted. It will be a time of transformation.
Mayor Rick Baker said he wants to make sure St. Petersburg schools can compete with others around the county.
"Cities need to get involved," he said. "We can't just sit by passively and say that's not our job."
In that spirit, Baker announced last week that each of the city's 27 elementary schools, nine middle schools, high schools and three secondary schools now has a corporate partner to assist with volunteers, money or whatever the school may need.
Last year, nine corporations volunteered to help each of the city's nine middle schools as part of Baker's Mayor's Mentors and More initiative. Now another 47 corporations have stepped forward.
The partners work with schools in various ways. For example, each corporation for the middle schools hosted a breakfast or lunch for faculty and staff.
Some provided financial support, such as Verizon Communication's $10,000 donation to John Hopkins or Catalina Marketing's gift of 200 computers.
Others send employees for volunteer support. For example, Home Shopping Network USA sent employees to assemble desks and set up the school when Thurgood Marshall Middle School opened last year. Employees from Eckerd College have contributed 3,000 hours of volunteer time at Bay Point Middle School.
"Now the schools have someone they can turn to and say, "We need some help,' " Baker said. "St. Petersburg is really on the cutting edge with this. It's a trend that other cities are going to follow."
