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Schools

Fundamental high to open in fall

Beginning with ninth grade, Osceola High will add a grade each year of back to basics education.

By DONNA WINCHESTER
Published December 14, 2005

LARGO - The Pinellas School Board agreed Tuesday to open the county's first fundamental high school.

The "back to basics" school, which will stress parental involvement and tight discipline, will debut in August at Osceola High School in mid county. In its first year, the school will accept ninth-graders only. One grade will be added each year until Osceola hosts the traditional four grades.

Board member Nancy Bostock, who has two children in elementary and middle school fundamentals, called the 6-1 vote "historic."

"For eight years, I heard all the reasons why we couldn't do this," she said. "Tonight I'm hearing all the reasons we can do it."

The board agreed that current fundamental middle school students and many Osceola Middle School eighth-graders will be accepted automatically. Eighth-graders currently in fundamental-style or "traditional" programs at several other middle schools will be given priority status for admission.

Students who are accepted must have parents sign off on their homework at least for the first semester. They also must adhere to the existing fundamental middle school dress code, which forbids shorts, tanks tops, backless dresses and sandals.

Unlike its elementary and middle school counterparts, the high school fundamental will offer bus service to ensure participation from families in both north and south Pinellas.

In casting the lone dissenting vote, board member Mary Russell expressed concern about the school's mid-county location. If the school had been phased in at a south Pinellas school, Russell said, the district's goals for integration after racial caps are lifted in 2007 could have been better served.

Russell also objected to how students with grandfathering privileges to Osceola High will not be able to attend the school unless they are willing to become part of the fundamental program.

School superintendent Clayton Wilcox said grandfathering privileges ensure admission to a a particular school, but not a particular program.

In other action, the board agreed, on a 4-3 vote, to extend Wilcox's contract for one year.

Wilcox's original contract, signed in April 2004, would have ended on June 30, 2008. Tuesday's vote amended the end date to June 30, 2009.

The board also agreed to extend the term of the contract for up to one additional year if a majority of the board members rate the superintendent as meeting or exceeding expectations on his evaluation for the preceding year.

Board member Mary Brown said the contract extension demonstrates the board's support of Wilcox.

"I feel that extending this contract is a way of saying we believe in you, we believe you are committed to this district, and we want you to stay," Brown said.

Board member Linda Lerner didn't think a statement of support was necessary.

"I'm not worried about Dr. Wilcox leaving," she said. "I don't think he could find a better district. If he chooses to leave, maybe he should."

Wilcox, visibly disappointed by the discussion, told the board he is "passionate" about staying in Pinellas County but wanted to give his family "peace of mind."

"I would encourage you to do what, at least by my standards, is the right thing to do," he said.

In the end, Russell and board member Janet Clark joined Lerner in voting against the contract extension.

The board also:

Agreed to allow the superintendent and the school district attorney to have a discussion with the Legislature about the Florida Department of Education's refusal to accept co-teaching as a means to meet class size reduction goals.

Approved an agreement with Laidlaw Transit, the company that unsuccessfully attempted to provide a global positioning system for school buses, that requires Laidlaw to return $1.5-million to the district.

Agreed to provide $200,000 to Plato Academy in Clearwater to aid the charter school in its second year of implementation.

[Last modified December 14, 2005, 00:13:09]