[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6743607,"mediaKeyId","2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1","parentId",2173372,"title","Pinellas school board adopts revised five‑year capital plan after hurricane recovery adjustments","audioSeconds",366,"startMs",3630000,"endMs",3996000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1&start=3630&end=3996","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1/thumbnail_3630000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6743607/Florida/Pinellas-school-board-adopts-revised-fiveyear-capital-plan-after-hurricane-recovery-adjustments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743607-7f435e5cf122c13d5c21f47ae536f02c/orig.mp4?Expires=1776262757&Signature=dQ0OHoJA03-nFnVPShPEktpRZ1ZTeFr6IFdZ9v87yioQf649NJyafpQJZ5JA-S9AfmMk3C56~2kT2QXqSs07wTHgwuOXJG5HkPhlDwsEdasJaToY7rN9x1vmabY4M~EdRc-UN0ovrNdcIoKVTKlSbQVDJNLVLwMW0InB0fkBnjxSr9v59FaDkwpI6PkmZB0toLl3WNQEjSSKgNTLxeYw4m4gxrRChfqag9tVaE-laeaChjWIDSlWW9clySZmU8aefqq6HyzhvAkrRSCptMbmY9MVQrw0PaWocnNww2q9VCgF-dHSutvmDwrOx-E75-DUtiPfmn1IdVXLnntG3TFN4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinellas County Schools","date","2025-01-29T06:12:36.08Z","article","The Pinellas County School Board on Jan. 28 approved a revised five‑year capital outlay plan and tentative facilities work program that incorporates rebuild and repair costs stemming from two recent hurricanes.

The plan, summarized by Chief Financial Officer Michael Jeppesen, estimates about $21,000,000 in stabilization, rebuild and repair costs for affected facilities and reflects adjustments to address those unanticipated needs. \"To address these unanticipated costs in our capital spending, we have utilized our $7,000,000 capital contingency fund and have deferred 2 major projects and several smaller projects into future years,\" Jeppesen said during the meeting.

The document submitted to the Florida Department of Education is a project budget intended to be \"dynamic and flexible\" so the district can respond to urgent recovery priorities while maintaining long‑term goals, Jeppesen said. The plan is funded in part by the district\u000fs 1.5‑mill local capital millage and follows statutory submission requirements.

Board members discussed the level of detail in the posted plan and how project line items are presented. Board member Seidman said she would vote against the item, raising concerns about inaccurate facility names in some places, facilities listed despite lease restrictions, and misclassification of items such as spectator seating or playgrounds. \"Some facilities listed throughout the document aren't named accurately,\" Seidman said, and noted other instances where \"discontinue\" should be used instead of \"replace.\"

Superintendent Hendrick and Jeppesen said some listings reflect a countywide format used to allow flexibility in assigning funds as projects arise, and that the district will provide a replacement cycle and additional detail at an upcoming workshop. Chair Hine said she expects the lifecycle/replacement schedule to be included with the workshop materials so board members can track timelines for specific schools.

The motion to approve the five‑year capital outlay plan passed 5–1 with Seidman recorded as opposed.

Votes at a glance

- Item 8.2, Proposed five‑year capital outlay plan and tentative facilities work program (2024‑25 through 2028‑29): Motion from Mrs. Kane; second Mrs. Long. Tally: Yes 5, No 1 (Seidman). Outcome: approved.

Why it matters

The approved plan redirects district capital resources to immediate recovery needs after two hurricanes, drawing on contingency funds and delaying some projects. Board members said they expect a companion workshop with project‑level replacement cycles so schools and the public can see when specific upgrades are scheduled.

What remains unresolved

Seidman asked for corrections to facility names and clearer categorization of items. The district said it will return to the board with workshop materials that include the replacement cycle and further budget summaries.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pinellas County School Board Meeting January 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Pinellas County School Board on Jan. 28 approved a revised five‑year capital outlay plan and facilities work program that incorporates roughly $21 million in hurricane‑related stabilization, rebuild and repair costs and uses a $7 million contingency fund, but the measure passed narrowly (5–1) after a board member raised accuracy concerns.","taxTitle","Pinellas, School Districts, Florida","taxId",14662,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6743597,"Community urges Pinellas schools to adopt safe‑zone protections as legal counsel explains federal limits",65,5791000,5726000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1&start=5791&end=5726","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1/thumbnail_5791000.jpg","/articles/6743597/Florida/Community-urges-Pinellas-schools-to-adopt-safezone-protections-as-legal-counsel-explains-federal-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743597-cb0fdbe368b7a7ed0c0f221ce12d43b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776262757&Signature=fVRxyEMi6MU-r~t69OaaX0qDlL-0pKK1fB0~qDoPYvtrXCGF2Ndin92~Nyhz~tL76a2oLHvoFAHeqgahfKs-Eobbl9k6I~gtJtTLoK1zpj8Ui8lGaj6CNyDwG6YgWfe6NhhCEXZynDtke86w-V7O8pTS3Php1ksqs~K~3jdQY5q00plDtKKskGVLWLS4oVHPH44xXe93MZNuADWEdoerWLQrDYsm6I04s~m~N-03MtGW0zuPJYMG44J6YL1Bwxkpjx32y6LcA7bG7F8jpvIrvraBKmyzjaIMsJ5xTdnnlKmZzsGghXlP2Zf6HpjhJuwWfaXuSAeTWPdq56ZPuSn3Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple community speakers and the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association asked the Pinellas County School Board on Jan. 28 to adopt a safe‑zone resolution to reassure families after recent federal immigration enforcement guidance and national headlines.

\"It is the right of every child, regardless of immigration status, to access a free public K‑12 education,\" Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, told the board. He said he emailed a model safe‑zone resolution to board members and described it as closely tied to the U.S. Supreme Court precedent Plyler v. Doe. Bryant said the resolution would contain reassurances for students, procedures for law enforcement and information for families and staff and would not, on its face, require additional district spending.

Several other speakers described fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities and asked for clearer district guidance, including retired district employee Cynthia Record, who said teachers were asking questions about what would happen if immigration authorities came to schools. Brent Robinson, a longtime history teacher, urged regular, clear communication from the superintendent and board to reassure families.

Board legal counsel Peter Kuperski responded to the concerns and outlined the district\u000fs position: federal statutes and enforcement authority for immigration agencies have long existed, the district does not collect students' immigration status and principals should contact the legal office if enforcement activity occurs on campus. \"If we do, we have asked that our school administration contact the legal department,\" Kuperski said, adding that district staff will help walk principals through any response while following federal and state law.

Superintendent Hendrick said the district was monitoring the developing situation and would continue to provide updates. The board did not take a formal vote on a safe‑zone resolution during the meeting; members and advocates indicated interest in further discussion.

Why it matters

Advocates say a local safe‑zone resolution signals district commitment to protecting children's access to education and can provide procedures to guide staff and families when enforcement activity occurs. Legal counsel emphasized the district's obligations under federal law and directed administrators to seek legal guidance if incidents arise.

Proposed authority references

- Court case: Plyler v. Doe (U.S. Supreme Court precedent cited by advocates).
- Department memorandum: recent federal notice/memo about pauses to some grants and federal actions discussed separately in the superintendent\u000fs report (district said DOE instructed districts to continue operating under grant budgets).","Parents, teachers and union leaders urged the Pinellas County School Board to adopt a safe‑zone resolution on Jan. 28 to reassure immigrant families; board legal counsel said federal immigration authority is longstanding and the district does not collect immigration status.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6743602,"Quarterly state safety assessments find mostly administrative issues at Pinellas schools, district says deficiencies corrected",789,3331000,4120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1&start=3331&end=4120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1/thumbnail_3331000.jpg","/articles/6743602/Florida/Quarterly-state-safety-assessments-find-mostly-administrative-issues-at-Pinellas-schools-district-says-deficiencies-corrected","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743602-cbbf407ccafa48b29eef7666c248d393/orig.mp4?Expires=1776262757&Signature=ELgYcjTQeSFRgytutS~xM2yfKKHmQgGYIsoG-4fqbp4go52ucQehvz-qUjBi0FyAzsv97h7zIZmRKjYasT9F0blx1WUFfC54GFqXC4KG5ruAG-l8zVaQo8yN7ezptOU7Rjat-WPfTg31xpT-eSnM8gSsuB4UcL05Fxi0fNId7APkBxrKYv5GsFDKMl1dOvqULEZ5gxGRTFYvX1UUzmpFj40Z-9on9QtP2RPCmA52dGOzoyka~BubOYenGUjV2o~5HgL3KM9JlNwiOLXvNw~O~as6dhN7-l0f-gG15lRRjShD83YDXxsLxS80FUDPPXpS8GXESqLlluJBM5ahnFUDNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinellas County School officials told the school board on Jan. 28 that the Florida Department of Education\u000fs Office of Safe Schools conducted 12 site visits in the district during the quarter and found deficiencies at five campuses, most of which were administrative and quickly remedied.

\"From those site assessments and from the results, 5 of the 12 schools were found to have some deficiencies,\" School Safety Specialist Sean Joel said. He told the board that when the Office of Safe Schools notifies the district, the issues are typically corrected by administrators the same day or shortly afterward.

Joel said the deficiencies were largely documentation or operational logistics the Office of Safe Schools requires and that the district provides resources, guidance and training to keep campuses both safe and welcoming. Board members followed up with questions; Miss Seidman thanked Joel for the additional context and confirmed the district had worked with the Office of Safe Schools to bring campuses into compliance.

The board voted to approve the Office of Safe Schools Quarterly Inspection Report as presented (motion Mrs. Kane; second Mrs. Edmond), 6–0.

What the report covered

- 12 site visits across district public and charter campuses during the quarter.
- Five schools had deficiencies; district staff described most as administrative/documentation issues that were promptly addressed.

Why it matters

State safety assessments identify gaps in required protocols and documentation; the district said it uses the quarterly reviews to provide targeted support to administrators and to align procedures with Office of Safe Schools expectations.

Vote

- Item 8.1, Office of Safe Schools Quarterly Inspection Report: Motion Mrs. Kane; second Mrs. Edmond. Tally: Yes 6, No 0. Outcome: approved.","The district presented the second Office of Safe Schools quarterly report showing 12 site visits across district public and charter schools; five schools had deficiencies that district staff described as primarily administrative and promptly corrected. The board approved the report 6–0.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6743593,"Pinellas schools declare Student Services Week and honor staff for core‑value work",1569,1833000,3402000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1&start=1833&end=3402","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1/thumbnail_1833000.jpg","/articles/6743593/Florida/Pinellas-schools-declare-Student-Services-Week-and-honor-staff-for-corevalue-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743593-a856cc0ee73e55bb62e5159a33ee33e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776262757&Signature=RBafETGofcp-~OukTGbEVSZiV-rXz9Vcb~13779~vIdODmb1Fuwm15z5lFsQfpVq~vU4JgQAPOOtYpaF6FRIQjpX5Gg~mpaLQ6XYNSjCvWLbH0zkNxKd0XQ8f4FYNecjPCjQWLrfko-bf~CqaCFX3OkQD5OH3kKlDt41evqh9wnc9-fLPUWO6x~ZMK6m~VLDOtL5mDHnrkiQDrqlAFwR~GJGl9Ot1~-96IGAEKTn77rsgX5SyRQERojdL56JBOeUiQYqMKfvJzbcBEIcVBj9H7jXh8g3pSu8zRJ711nO1XwkOJuZ0~Wo~aaJX9riM761E-GXnjCv7ljGxDe3uMKN6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pinellas County School Board on Jan. 28 approved a proclamation recognizing Feb. 3–7, 2025 as Student Services Week and heard a series of recognitions for student services staff.

Donna Cecilian, executive director of student services, told the board the week highlights the work of school counselors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, educational diagnosticians and prevention staff who \"assist students in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and competencies to make well reasoned and healthy lifelong decisions.\" The board approved the proclamation by voice vote, 6–0.

Cecilian and student services leadership presented multiple staff recognitions tied to the district\u000fs core values. Among honorees were Ruth Tipton, a social worker who supports students in foster care and charter schools; Joanne Mercer, a social worker on the Homeless Education Assistance Team (HEAT) who assisted families after recent hurricanes; Leslie Dodge, a nurse recognized for her work in shelters during evacuations; and Kristin Vermillion, a counselor who aided students displaced after storm damage.

Cecilian said the honorees were selected after reviewing district praise submissions and noted that many student services staff had performed critical work supporting medically vulnerable and displaced families during hurricanes.

Why it matters

Student services staff deliver counseling, health and wraparound supports that address barriers to learning; the board\u000fs proclamation and recognitions highlight the district\u000fs reliance on these roles during both routine and emergency operations.","The school board approved a proclamation recognizing Feb. 3–7, 2025 as Student Services Week and the district honored multiple student services employees for work tied to core values including support for foster and unhoused students and hurricane response.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6743587,"Pinellas names Dennis Zirker 2025 Teacher of the Year at Evening of Excellence",574,695000,1269000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1&start=695&end=1269","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2173372-2b1fb2cee3422a346dd337615043a4f1/thumbnail_695000.jpg","/articles/6743587/Florida/Pinellas-names-Dennis-Zirker-2025-Teacher-of-the-Year-at-Evening-of-Excellence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6743587-7f68f40796b1419ca1c363985076c535/orig.mp4?Expires=1776262757&Signature=XHhrhzp29pcoG3~odiMYShzySmgDtAyolTy5HHZrU~VcdxFr-zKQbsChSVAODJMZYN6Dg05fEqJ7z~Gq2cYowiJeMXGOYEpdC14NnroGG2qwnIZ1kKdHxoWP5vbVpxJAlTEiFLVqEjza8vZLV2Yk9PQa6Ud7~vLuDdQF29lpkAzc8OrzJulSgxQ3hsq9Bsz8zFhgEL6OQwvlmR8~OO4TaVHBkohmBeWKG3MQr0TD6Xa72X670lrFJZ2FpiAT~2VVSCGlLZeMwQjVYsxzaUuvBiu0RrdlM-mG0wXbiksbnTkka6x~5xW579zdU-p-5airV8Q2xFNF5FzvrJGXkhmYOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pinellas County Schools on Jan. 28 premiered its Evening of Excellence video and announced Dennis Zirker, a social studies teacher at Gibbs High School, as the district\u000fs 2025 Teacher of the Year.

The video highlighted the district\u000fs top 10 finalists and recognized the role of sponsors and the Pinellas Education Foundation. Zirker, an AP U.S. history, government and credit‑recovery teacher at Gibbs who has taught in the district since 1998, described being \"honored and humbled\" by the recognition.

Superintendent Hendrick and board members praised all finalists and thanked sponsors for supporting teacher recognition. The board recommended viewing individual videos about the finalists for more detail on their classrooms and community impact.

Why it matters

The Teacher of the Year program spotlights classroom practice and raises community awareness of effective instruction across Pinellas County Schools.","Pinellas County Schools announced Dennis Zirker, an AP and US history teacher at Gibbs High School, as its 2025 Teacher of the Year during the district\u000fs Evening of Excellence. The board and superintendent celebrated finalists and thanked sponsors including the Pinellas Education Foundation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pinellas school board adopts revised five‑year capital plan after hurricane recovery adjustments

Community urges Pinellas schools to adopt safe‑zone protections as legal counsel explains federal limits

Quarterly state safety assessments find mostly administrative issues at Pinellas schools, district says deficiencies corrected

Pinellas schools declare Student Services Week and honor staff for core‑value work

Pinellas names Dennis Zirker 2025 Teacher of the Year at Evening of Excellence