[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6610021,"mediaKeyId","2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702","parentId",2905077,"title","Pinellas School Board approves proclamations for School Library Month and Volunteer Appreciation Month; recognizes students and volunteers","audioSeconds",1435,"startMs",1235000,"endMs",2670000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702&start=1235&end=2670","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702/thumbnail_1235000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6610021/Florida/Pinellas-School-Board-approves-proclamations-for-School-Library-Month-and-Volunteer-Appreciation-Month-recognizes-students-and-volunteers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610021-51ed255ec2194d2919b4b258612fa99d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843387&Signature=e8YMdPNjTOxyah4ERYusGt4GgWvvtgJRaLzwOd85lU-7DwjMGYaknPnrBbvIMRQjOpsVlyQqXxExf6j3vm3jfBTgpYse36c-aqx8y1zNbWTIn~ibv~Jp0A-JENLUH749kYnThHWg2Pq92eWtKBJrQKX7GWS4GzIyuq2bwAx7ua9tXMy5zXw~e4hlnnVEg-kuEOOvQ2qN~Nb0xzu5zzpiip4Sh9pUgWT7C1dx4WE1emCKUKZEwOLv6FTf~lwr3bJ8ePRrjrFsLtIecMy5mSDip0Mifayz4IVtRwvvGpfIoYoXeJEry0X4hmze4FiJ01NcCYi4iFVs2QRnZpuRjMzBmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pinellas County Schools","date","2025-04-08T23:21:50.53Z","article","The Pinellas County School Board voted 6-0 on April 8 to approve a proclamation designating April 2025 as National School Library Month and a separate proclamation recognizing April as National Volunteer Appreciation Month.

Ronwin Slack, program coordinator for library media, described district reading programs and announced upcoming events including a district Battle of the Books on April 30 and a summer Camp Read Strong for rising third- through fifth-graders. \"I hope you will join me in celebrating and recognizing them in honor of National School Library Month,\" Slack said. The board approved the proclamation on a motion from Mrs. Blacksburg with a second from Mrs. Peters.

Doctor Jane Lucas, director of strategic partnerships, presented the volunteer proclamation and noted the district has more than 24,000 active volunteers who donated over 200,000 hours this school year. The board approved the volunteer proclamation on a motion from Mrs. Long and a second from Mrs. Kane.

The meeting also included recognition of 14 outstanding school volunteers and three category winners selected from more than 75 nominations; several student award winners including National Scholastic Art and Writing Award medalists and state academic and athletic teams were honored. The board recessed for photos with honorees and approved the consent agenda 6-0 earlier in the meeting. No contested votes were recorded for the proclamations or recognitions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pinellas County School Board Meeting April 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved proclamations designating April 2025 as National School Library Month and Volunteer Appreciation Month, and honored student winners and outstanding volunteers from across the district.","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},6610026,"Teachers and parents urge Pinellas board to reverse staff reductions, cite rising class sizes and student needs",221,5474000,5695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702&start=5474&end=5695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702/thumbnail_5474000.jpg","/articles/6610026/Florida/Teachers-and-parents-urge-Pinellas-board-to-reverse-staff-reductions-cite-rising-class-sizes-and-student-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610026-db111748fbecb3916f6a82e510eae822/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843387&Signature=bSGXiv4pG5tcLKI5Bz4NQe5U4v2sqQhPGh8tdlhA7N1ehBb16VbwGbEP510d6P-TVT~We1e5r7PunqB9gf0Wt2wQEPdAIiLjuhX~uQX5v9-JtYCId-Y2KpEx1R~PUQIPSX0kbaoHjl-uDVqDWS5MTnkGV6EF3FAQQ76gMrNBRsgOrAvAsZoX5R0q348C2kPQs~GqP2Qdj3LUi-WNqgodRfuSJraZS~555QRNR0ol6iSU-BBXO2Dswu0RRQbd6tFLeuB03HBHIgqd9KzDrF3Q45-~CuC03MPav10gsS~NVs~Xc~tn8BJ-LPG6y93auCD9VDCBOJy425gYkhK6wdFt0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple teachers and parents told the Pinellas County School Board on April 8 that proposed staffing reductions and higher student-to-teacher ratios would diminish supports for students with complex needs and make classroom differentiation untenable.

Marco Rangel, a first-grade teacher at Azalea Elementary, said his school is projected to lose 11 educators and staff and he expects class sizes of 21 to 22 students at the start of the next year. “It's disheartening to walk into a new school year already burnt out, knowing I'll be expected to meet the unique academic, behavioral, and emotional needs of two dozen young children on my own,” Rangel said.

Tracy McConnell, a third-grade teacher at Pinellas Central Elementary, described the emotional toll on students and families and urged the board to adopt the district's Safe School Resolution to reassure students. “Kids need our reassurance and leadership now more than ever. If Pinellas plans to maintain our A, we need to make sure that we send the clear message that our schools are safe for all kids,” McConnell said.

Speakers asked the board to reconsider reductions to instructional and support staff, to provide clearer public records about staffing decisions and to prioritize student safety and small-group instruction. The meeting record does not show a board vote to restore positions; public comments were entered for the board's consideration.","Teachers and parents at the April 8 meeting described projected staff reductions and larger class sizes as harmful to student learning and social-emotional supports, and asked the board to prioritize restoring positions.",{"_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},6610031,"Students and teachers push Pinellas board to keep 8-class block schedule, citing instruction and programs at risk",442,4604000,5046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702&start=4604&end=5046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702/thumbnail_4604000.jpg","/articles/6610031/Florida/Students-and-teachers-push-Pinellas-board-to-keep-8-class-block-schedule-citing-instruction-and-programs-at-risk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610031-0f94be31a7c4fd0dddb51acfa83f6db0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843387&Signature=g1nmT4AClPkr7B-UpdducYo7gXHXUV9q1CIUmIhniuHVQRaa~ReLuehw6Q2Nm0qgh~VHZBvnlB9HwOecqQRE9Vh6qIntRjDdcNxxHsFXZbzQYZoKNSpFYdA75qQ2GxSimwQB5~dJUh3XKxST8MHSGbr3iJRCOEId-vJ4coQsqCRJ5bfZbS9ljXyuCot3nvAUr-ifK2tC576JfdF3hjt6CI5tEdJ7RlbdtZYliHaD10lZWlOaRgRhMchkzQ3iR~14Dr5Bj-h2XRgy~FhCytDPlhsi0MbwXew4yD-H9opJA~0a5OQrp960kBNdZ6gy8SLvT5hHgkfb9sV612-N3wZuCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the April 8 meeting, students and teachers urged the Pinellas County School Board to maintain the current 8-class schedule and longer block periods in order to protect instructional time for career and arts programs. Trish Le, a Cambridge Program student at Holland High School, said the schedule change would remove opportunities that require extended class time. “Our programs desperately need the full hour and a half class time because there are many projects, lessons, and opportunities that cannot be done in simply 45 minutes,” Trish Le said.

Multiple speakers — including students and parents — said the district's decision to give schools choices between a reduced-class schedule and no pay change effectively forced teachers to decide between two unattractive options. One parent described the choices as creating “scapegoats” of teachers by asking them to vote whether to reduce classes or take additional responsibilities without increased compensation.

Students and program leaders emphasized practical limits in arts, culinary and technical classes: cake decorating, filmmaking and other project-based lessons require continuous class time that shorter periods disrupt. Trish Le warned that combining or splitting blocks to preserve 90 minutes as two periods would reduce elective availability and limit students' options.

Board members did not adopt a districtwide schedule change or vote on schedule policy at the meeting; public comment focused on urging the board to reconsider the process used to implement the change and to provide clearer transparency about whether schools and families were consulted before course selection began.","Students, program leaders and teachers told the board that converting to shorter class periods or altered block schedules would harm instruction in Cambridge, culinary and arts programs and reduce elective opportunities.",{"_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},6610036,"Pinellas board warns state funding proposals could cut career-technical education and squeeze district budget",582,3022000,3604000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702&start=3022&end=3604","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2905077-37e994653ed9d94cc15cb04aefdb6702/thumbnail_3022000.jpg","/articles/6610036/Florida/Pinellas-board-warns-state-funding-proposals-could-cut-career-technical-education-and-squeeze-district-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6610036-ee1c99b4c46f7d2f0ec4aee82f5704d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770843387&Signature=FSR1CK73oLi--BKbOBjL7o4nS~RUnbFDhGlFcEYudFCWgMkOK33LIHvMmFlg7~SLKaXc4BijDnJO7h7zpjRWepPOBwPL5wx6XIkuGqhbmGOFQj-sIgPG-5oN-P3hb1pi1fBp~eULn~geQqoepFfLV6Rx~1zJ2NW-LmrMPhRmnOgK5e-7b8R4TdHLIQ937xJTztJsmKL~s~-26qEhHYboIHnYQKFRrzkOVw8WRXdW6Azio1~I2Tl-zC8CHiwFwuXqPmFfFX2nuHUDIi0uj14jJSegyy5uKC2eXX~2Zqb0ariQHYJNhKaUXERF9EDdfc97Pn6EQ6y0dcTzAYc5pnYJYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Hendrick told the Pinellas County School Board on April 8 that proposed state budgets would not keep pace with local cost pressures, warning the district expects an effective funding decline even if the state shows an increase. “We've seen on average about a 1% increase proposed from the governor of the house and the senate, which will mean an overall decline in funding for Pinellas County Schools likely in the tens of millions of dollars due to declining enrollment and increased costs,” Superintendent Hendrick said.

Board member Mrs. Hein, whose written statement was read at the meeting, singled out proposed changes in funding for career and advanced coursework. “House Bill 5101 proposes to reduce the funding of career technical programs by 50% along with AP, IB, ACE, and dual enrollment classes,” Mrs. Hein said. She urged the public and board to oppose cuts and to press for larger increases to the base student allocation.

Board members and district staff described multiple related concerns: declining enrollment that lowers per-student revenue, state-required increases in teacher retirement contributions and pay, and healthcare inflation. Mrs. Hein recommended a minimum 2% increase in education funding, saying the 1% proposal would not cover mandated cost increases.

The board said it will continue monitoring legislation in Tallahassee and hold a workshop next week to review revenue projections, staffing allocations and strategies to balance the budget. The superintendent and other board members encouraged community members to contact legislators in opposition to the proposed 50% reductions in CTE and advanced coursework funding.

No formal board action to adopt a legislative position was recorded in the meeting minutes beyond urging public advocacy; the discussion was presented as an update and request for continued engagement.","District leaders and board members said state budget proposals and declining enrollment could leave Pinellas County Schools with tens of millions less than needed, and they urged advocacy against bills that would reduce funding for career-technical and advanced courses.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pinellas School Board approves proclamations for School Library Month and Volunteer Appreciation Month; recognizes students and volunteers

Teachers and parents urge Pinellas board to reverse staff reductions, cite rising class sizes and student needs

Students and teachers push Pinellas board to keep 8-class block schedule, citing instruction and programs at risk

Pinellas board warns state funding proposals could cut career-technical education and squeeze district budget