Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents, employees urge Pinellas Schools to accept ACH donations, raise bullying concerns at Dunedin Highland Middle
Summary
Public commenters at the April 22 meeting asked the district to allow ACH corporate matching gifts and described alleged bullying and lack of administrative response at Dunedin Highland Middle School; the board heard but took no immediate action.
Several members of the public addressed the Pinellas County School Board on April 22, urging administrative changes and reporting student safety concerns.
Tracy Craig, a parent of three Pinellas students and a senior executive at Bank of America, told the board that her employer’s foundation and other corporate donors are shifting to ACH (electronic) grant and matching‑gift payments. Craig said she was informed by school bookkeepers that district policy does not permit schools to accept ACH donations, and that the restriction prevented her $300 donation from being matched by Bank of America’s program. She asked the district to reconsider allowing schools to accept ACH payments or to create an approved‑vendor process so corporate matching gifts are not “left on the table.”
Shantela Davis, a lifelong Pinellas resident and local business owner, spoke about multiple complaints from parents about Dunedin Highland Middle School. Davis said parents have reported persistent bullying that school administrators did not adequately address, and alleged an assistant principal directed students to erase evidence of bullying from phones. She said she submitted a three‑page report to the school principal earlier in the year that had not been addressed and described students suffering depression and anxiety as a result. Davis asked the board to investigate and to ensure parents’ concerns receive follow‑up from district staff.
Mark Clutho of Largo also spoke during public comment expressing concerns about recent district construction designs and HVAC contracts; his remarks included profane language and broad criticism of district decisions. The board’s public‑comment clerk identified each speaker and the agenda items they referenced; the board did not take immediate action in response to the public comments at the meeting.
Ending: Board members did not indicate they would take immediate votes on the requests. District staff typically follow up on public‑comment complaints; Tracy Craig’s request would require a district policy or administrative‑process change to permit ACH or approved‑vendor electronic donations.
