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Pinellas board eyes fundamental high school

A parent-led movement to expand the program beyond middle schools could see the district vote Tuesday to convert Osceola High next school year.

By DONNA WINCHESTER and THOMAS C. TOBIN
Published December 9, 2005

Tougher dress code. More homework. Stricter discipline. For the first time, all these could be coming to a Pinellas County public high school.

The School Board votes Tuesday on a proposal to convert mid county's Osceola High into the district's only fundamental high school starting next year.

Fundamentals are "back-to-basics" public schools popular with parents but they stop at the eighth grade. A parent-led movement to expand the program to high school persuaded district officials to pursue the idea.

What the fundamental high school would lack in variety - no magnet programs or special tracks - it would make up for with rigorous, college-prep classes, proponents say.

"There will be no remedial classes," said Jan Rouse, an associate superintendent. "We will be looking at honors classes and the idea that there will be a grade-level expectation."

Under the plan, the school would open next fall with a ninth-grade class. It calls for one grade to be added each year until Osceola becomes a four-year fundamental high school.

Students at existing fundamental middle schools would be allowed in first, followed by students in fundamental-style programs at a handful of regular middle schools. Students with no fundamental background could enroll as well, but would have to sign a contract pledging to abide by fundamental rules.

They would apply for the school in February, during the district's countywide application period. Parents would be notified of their child's acceptance before the choice application period opens in March.

Students would adhere to the fundamental middle school dress code and parents must sign homework at least for the first semester.

Unlike elementary and middle school fundamentals, the high school would offer bus service.

Howard Kleinfeld, whose 13-year-old son, Aaron, is an eighth-grader at Coachman Fundamental in Clearwater, said he is excited, especially because Osceola is close to his Seminole house.

"It's really strict on discipline in school, and I think that's needed," he said.

The district's five elementary fundamentals and three middle school fundamentals consistently earn A's on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. They also are among a small percentage of schools that meet new federal standards.

But some fundamental middle school students said they were ready for a less strict environment.

Bobby Punzak, an eighth-grader at Southside Fundamental in St. Petersburg, said he wants to break free of the dress code he has followed since elementary school. Keelyan Bryant, a Southside eighth-grader who hopes to attend the Gibbs High business magnet, agreed.

Besides the 1,800 students enrolled in three fundamental middle schools, the proposed high school is expected to draw from five regular middle schools - Dunedin, Largo, Madeira Beach, Osceola and Riviera - with fundamental-style programs.

About 90 students are in such a program at Riviera Middle School in St. Petersburg, said principal Al Bennett, who discussed the proposed high school with parents at a recent School Advisory Council meeting.

"I think at least half of them showed a real keen interest in exploring it," he said.

Fundamental-style programs at regular middle schools operate in much the same way as fundamental middle schools. Parents and students sign a contract to attend regular meetings with administrators and teachers, missed homework assignments can lead to detentions, behavior rules are more strict.

Fundamental schools generally are small. In that sense, Osceola would be a good fit for the fundamental model.

Osceola never was meant to be a large school, according to the district's official history. It's enrollment was 1,873 at the start of the school year, the second-smallest in Pinellas, after Lakewood High.

The school traditionally has attracted students from mid county and black students from St. Petersburg. Since busing for desegregation ended and the choice plan began, the number of black students has declined as families chose neighborhood schools.

Osceola is about 16 miles from Southside Fundamental, roughly a 25-minute drive. It's about 12 miles south of Coachman, about a 20-minute drive.

Despite its mid Pinellas location, it might prove too far for parents living at extreme ends of the county. Amy Shafran of Palm Harbor, a member of the parent committee that launched the fundamental high school idea, said she is thrilled the fundamental school could become a reality. But it's too far south to send her daughter Lexi.

"Even though it's not good for me, south county will benefit from it," she said.

The School Board has discussed creating a fundamental high school before but the idea never got this far, said board member Linda Lerner.

"I had some concerns about it previously," Lerner said. "It may have been because the proposal wasn't as well thought out as this one. I can't say how I'm going to vote, but right now I'm supportive of it."

Board member Jane Gallucci also said she is leaning toward supporting the new school.

"I like the looks of the high school," she said. "I like the choice it offers families."

And board member Nancy Bostock, who has two children in fundamental schools, said she hopes the board approves the plan.

Times staff writer Vanessa de la Torre contributed to this report.

Fundamental schools are public schools that offer a "back to basics" approach. Parents are required to attend monthly PTA meetings and teachers train students to take responsibility for their school work. Nightly homework assignments are the rule. The dress code is more restrictive than the district code. Discipline problems are not tolerated.

Some facts about Pinellas County's fundamental schools:

About 3,800 students attend fundamental schools in Pinellas - a little more than 3 percent of the total district enrollment of 111,000. Five are elementaries and three are middle schools.

More than 900 other students attend fundamental-style or "traditional" programs that operate within five regular middle schools. A number of regular elementaries also offer these programs.

Fundamental schools are popular with Pinellas parents. The district receives many more applications than there are seats available.

[Last modified December 9, 2005, 06:11:02]