Pinellas considers fundamental school changes

Pinellas school officials are proposing a significant change in the make-up of the district's fundamental middle school system. Under a plan announced this afternoon, the district would close Southside Fundamental Middle School in St. Petersburg and Coachman Fundamental Middle School in Clearwater and move both programs to new schools.
 
Southside would move to Madeira Beach Middle School, and neighboring Madeira Beach Elementary would become a fundamental elementary school, forming the district's only K-8 campus. Coachman would move to Kennedy Middle School in Clearwater.
 
District officials said students at Kennedy and Madeira Beach would be given the opportunity to stay at their respective schools next year, providing they agreed to abide by fundamental school rules. The rest would be reassigned to other schools.
 
The moves are part of an overall plan to cut the budget and deal with declining enrollment. They also would substantially increase the number of fundamental middle school seats in the county, which are in demand. Officials said the district would save money by closing Southside and Coachman and filling up Madeira Beach and Kennedy.
 
Minutes ago, the School Board tenatively approved the ideas at a workshop. Board members plan to take a final vote Dec. 9.

Board members delayed a decision on the proposed closing of five elementary schools, saying they needed more information and time to study the issue. The board will meet to discuss the potential closings at a workshop Dec. 2.

NOTE
One fact that did not become clear until late this afternoon: This year's sixth and seventh graders at Southside would have the choice of attending the new fundamental program at Madeira Beach Middle or Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle next year.

- Thomas C. Tobin, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[Dad in Saint Pete]

Hey Everybody :)

Claire made ALLL COUNTY!!!!

She is the awesomest daughter ever.

She is the only kid I have - so she better do good; oe else...

don NOT trust nor rely on Greatschools.net site for factual info. about schools, they refuse to post negativer comments, instead asking you to re-write false info making postive, untrue statements.

[M.W]

The School Board just made some of the worst choices they will ever make. Looks like I'm going to Madeira next year :( Or Northside Christian D;

[Hi.]

Mr. Baker wrote a letter for southside to stay open.

[Kentvermeer]

Maybe the adm. should get bonuses.
What is Tarpon Rated?

[BBMOM]

The school board has their meeting next Tuesday the 13th at 10:00. They should be taking a final vote on a lot of these concerns and hopefully we will all be able to move forward knowing what the plans are.

[Jen]

Thanks for the up-date. I have tried emailing several school board members with my questions and concerns but have not heard back from a single one. I guess they are too busy working out their plan?

South County = The line the district is giving is that it anticipates that when everything shakes out all of the south county kids (Pasadena, Lakeview, Bay Vista) will be able to snag a seat at either Thurgood OR Madeira. (I would imagine you will have to apply to both and see which one has room.) The numbers don't currently add up, but the district feels that enough current Madeira students will leave and there will be enough room at Thurgood's incoming 6th grade so that there will be enough room for all rising 6th graders coming from the fundamental elementaries.

Ditto for North county kids wanting Kennedy/Coachman.

Of course, if the District is wrong there are going to be a lot of angry families who thought they were guaranteed fundamental seats thru the eighth grade.

Maybe they plan to add portables or something to accommodate the overflow (which should be real interesting at Madeira; which is in a hurricane/flood zone; but oh well. They claim to know what they are doing.)

[Jen]

Does anyone know what the plan is for current fifth graders in fundamental schools? How do the proposed changes effect the application process for fifthe graders wanting a fundametnal middle school for next school year? I have left many emails and phone messages for our school board members but I have yet to get a response. I would appreciate feed-back. Thanks!

[michelle]

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/keep-southside-alive/signatures-page2.html

[Eriin's Question]

Erin:

(1) There will be no "zoning" for Madeira as it will be 100 percent fundamental (anyone in all of Pinellas county can apply and be selected by lottery).

(2) If you are currently at Madeira you can automatically stay at Madeira provided you agree to abide by all the fundamental rules and regulations as the school will be one hundred percent fundamental.

(3) If you do not want to attend a fundamental school then you will not be allowed into Madeira. Then you would be zoned for another middle school; perhaps Seminole or perhaps somewhere else as the School Board intends to re-draw the zones for next year.

Hope this helps. As a fundamental parent I would recommend you stay at Madeira as there will be a long list fighting to get in and you don't have to deal with all that -- you are automatically grandfathered in. The fundamental rules and regs. aren't that bad -- basically; you must attend six of eight monthly parent meetings (either PTSA or SAC); get homework assignments signed by the parents; abide by a dress code; and stay out of trouble. Its not that hard to comply with.

[someone]

is there still going to be busses is mbms turns fundamental?

[Erin]

If Southside does merge with Madeira does that mean all the school zoning would change again? We are right on the line for Madeira and Seminole Middle. In fact, Seminole Middle is one mile closer than Madeira, but we're right on the cutoff. Do you think this would push us into the Seminole Middle zoned area or would we stay zoned for Madeira.

Hope you can help.
Thanks
Erin

[Cassidy=)]

You are correct about not "closing" Thurgood they aren't going to close the school, but it has been proposed to move Southside's program into Thurgood's facility. They want to get rid of our Faculty and staff and just have Southside's move in! Joining us and blending in is one thing but taking over is unacceptable. If you do not believe me how come we had a letter sent home about this concern of this proposal brought forth by Ray Tampa of the St.Petersburg branch of the NAACP. Sorry for the stress, but todays youth is not going to sit by and watch this happen, we are going to fight for our rights!!!!!!! GO JAGUARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! =) happy holidays

The plan was never to close Thurgood. I'm not sure where that comment (12:22) came from. Relax everybody. This is how rumors get started and everybody gets their panties in a wad. Christmas is coming. Shouldn't we all be shopping or baking or decorating instead of creating chaos. I've been reading this blog to keep up on the current situation and to hear the perspective of others as everyone will be affected by the board's decision, not to perpetuate rumors and half truths. What ever happens, we will all get by somehow. People should think about how their comments are perceived by others. A hostile environment is being created by a few careless people who don't think before they "speak".

Merry Christmas and Peace.

[Cassidy(TMFMS president:) )]

In regards to Southside wanting to close Thurgood: The idea of closing Thurgood does not seem like the brightest idea to me! I have been at Thurgood since 6th grade and now I am in 8th grade and I feel that this school has helped me immensly!! I used to be very shy and now I am Student Council President!- Go figure? So to me it seems as if the Teachers have encouraged me to come out of my shell!!! So on that note the teachers do more than just teach they inspire!!!!!!! Another great thing about this school is that we are very diverse!!! At Thurgood many races mix together- not something you usually see in most middle schools!! Besides that Our students range from high achieving to low achieving!!! We also offer gifted and ESE classes!!! Another cool thing is that we offer Chinese that is not ordinary at most Pinellas County schools- That just puts Thurgood a step above the rest if you ask me!!! The teachers are absolutley amazing!!!! They make you actually want to go to school which is not common with most middle school students!! If Thurgood closed and southside moved in it would break a promise! Where Thurgood is located it used to be a neighborhood. When they tore it down to make our school, they made a promise to Childs Park that we would provide busing so the students from the neighborhood could attend our school! Now how wrong would that be!! Just because our parents send us on a bus does not mean our parents do not love us- it just means that they have a job to support us an they aren't able to take us yo school.Personally it would be quite hard to get to school because that is my form of transportation. This gives many students the opportunity to go to a fundemental school. Yes we do not have the grade that Southside has, but you have to remember that we are a new school and it takes time to get a program rolling, give us time and we will be making the grades!! I love this school, and the Teachers, Administration, and staff!!! Lets let Thurgood stay Thurgood!!! GO JAGUARS!!!!!!

[Thurgood Supporter]

I think that thurgood Marshal is a great school we have a great school built here and I think that we should have the right to keep it

[Thurgood4EVER]

Thurgood Marshall is a great school. They don't deserve to be closed down. We have amazing teachers and students! This school is 100% fundamental. They don't let anything slide, but they are the nicest teachers the world could ask for. There is no way that Thurgood should be blamed for being Fundamental-light. I've been at Thurgood since sixth grade, and before that, i was not responsible at all. Now that i'm in Thurgood i now know how to manage my time, keep track of everything i do, and make the right decisions. I've learned so much from Thurgood! One of those things is math. Ever since third grade, i was terrible at math, now i'm in an advanced class.

[Jen]

This is a response to the individual who refers to Southside supporters as elistist. If demanding a better schools mkes me an elistist, it's a badge I will wear with honor! By the way, I'm a proud working-class mother from the southside.

[Brianna]

Please save SFMS!

[Zoe Commanderson]

I went to the meeting about Southside on Dec. 2 and one thing you guys mentioned was the waiting list for Southside and getting into a Fundamental is like winning the lottery.
Well, think about it school board!!! Why is the waiting list so long... CAUSE WE'RE SPECIAL!! If you were to move us to Madeira Beach, which is not a fundamental school. Would it be fair to turn everyone of the students there into fundamental automatically, while we [students of SFMS] had to wait a long time to get into the fundamental program. Is that fair? NO!!!
Also, newly formed fundamental schools, like Thurgood Marshall, are still not as good as Southside! It takes time to develop a superb school. Look at the scores of FCAT:
Southside's Math and Reading are mostly in the 80% range.
Thurgood's Reading scores are in the 60% area and in some areas the 30% range. It is no question that Southside will stay where it belongs, in Midtown.

[Zoe Commanderson]

SOUTHSIDE ROCKS!!!!!!
Please, Please, PLEASE! Keep SFMS open. I love this school, more than my own house. It's way more then a school for me and others.
Look at our FCAT scores, our Band and Chorus awards, our everything. We don't deserve to be demolished, and if you did (which you will not), after a minute you would ask yourself what have I done???

SFMS ROCKS AND WILL STAY IN MIDTOWN!!!!

[Lorenzo Bright]

Also, my parents have to be to work by 8:00. The other schools open at 9:00. That is a 12.1 mile trip from mt home in Clearwater, and my parents would be late!

[Lorenzo Bright]

Hello, I want to be come President of the United States one day, so I think that being at Southside will help me to accomplish that goal! I am student council President, and I need to be a school that rocks, and has great teachers and students, no matter how old the building or structure, is! Think about this! If you change your name, you still have the same personality. Same thin with SFMS, if you put us with other students that haven't been raised fundamental, well it may not work out well. No offense to the non-fundamental schools.

[M.W]

WHOOT! GO RYLEE~~~!

&& no @ 2:43. I disagree, completely D;

The building is not a health problem, nor is it going against safety regulations. Southside is a historical building (1920's) with so much history (: Taking it away from us to me would be like ripping outta' chunk of my heart. I remmeber when I was 4 and 5 and I use to go sit in the auditorium during rehearsals when my sister was in show choir.

I must admit though, I do have a question of my own xp

If SFMS and MBMS were to combine, would SFMS students still have the same opportunity to get into IB or CAT, for since if we /were/ combinging with a new fundamenta, I dunno if those advanced prrgrams would look at us the same way O_O

[you have to close it]

Does ANYONE know that Southside is no longer receiving state support money because the structure is SO old???? Be smart people - that money is coming out of the cirriculum and the parents (those willing to fork out-not me). We live in a high risk area and having our kids in a building so far out of building code and so full of old termite dust and rot is terrible. If you do care about these kids, put them into a facility that can withstand a suddent tornado or worse, a hurricane. I am glad to move my kids to either location. This school is successful because of the teachers and parents - not the structure.

Plus, these are hard times, record job loss this month AGAIN. You can't have everything america!!!

[Rylee Fortosis]

This is KIND OF ridiculous. I mean why tear down a perfectly good school?! As long as it's not a health problem to anyone who goes here, then WHY IS EVERYONE MAKING SUCH A BIG DEAL OUT OF THIS?! Gosh, don't you people think that young student's education is your main priority here? We are the future of society so pay whatever it takes right?! I am just so stunned that anyone would even consider closing down one of the best schools in the county. Everyone just loves Southside and whoever tears this school down has no idea how many people and children will be hurt, upset, angry, and LET DOWN by our School Board who in my opinion, aren't even considering how this might affect the STUDENTS here. And not to mention our teachers. This whole ordeal is unnecessary, not wanted, and not needed. Thanks for your time and I hope you might consider what I'm trying to get through.

[Lorenzo Bright Student Council President of Southside]

Hello. Here I am again, talking about Southside. We are sorry about the spelling mistakes but we still are an "A+" school. We will tell the students and faculty. We're all standing up for something we believe strongly in, and sometimes it's hard to get the words out as fast as our brains think them. KEEP SOUTHSIDE ALIVE!!!!

[M.W]

The students posting (and their parents) appear to be functionally illiterate -- this is an "A" school? Oh dear.

Yes, SFMS is an A+ school. 23'rd ranked in country, 17'th in state, first in county. Don't judge unless you've taught, been a student or a parent of a student.

Wake up Southside parents! I just returned from the Madeira Beach meeting and we are getting the shaft! There are only 60 available seats for 6th-8th because Madeira gets first right of refusal. Outgoing 5th graders from Bay Vista, Pasadena and Lakeview will get what's left over after Madeira Beach Elementary fills the 6th grade seats. Your other choice is Thurgood Marshall. If you think that is a good choice, go to greatschools.net and check out their scores. Compare them to Southside (and Madeira Beach). We are losing a lot here so people need to wake up and start emailing, picketing, calling school board memebers, etc. Show up at the meeting on the 9th....but do something fast!

The students posting (and their parents) appear to be functionally illiterate -- this is an "A" school? Oh dear.

[Former Show Choir Parent]

Southside is an amazing school. My children were in successful music program, and the hard work put in by music teachers and all teachers is unbelievable. I chaperoned to competitions, and I watched the way the teachers worked with those students. In the competitions the students received great teacher support. The fundamental experience is one not be be experimented with. Moving Southside will not make other ?fundamental? schools better. By destroying the model, the product will be destroyed. Keep Southside where it is. Keep all the teachers, administrators, and other important staff. That's the only way to keep the fundamental program protected..

[Emma]

KEEP SOUTHSIDE OPEN !!! imagine how many eachrs would loose their jobs, friends we all loose, and why would you close the least paying A+ school?? this i absolutley rediculous!! every adult has been to middle school put youself in our shoes. WE FEEL HORRIBLE!!! think about what your doing. PLASE VOTE YES KEEP OPEN!!!

[M.W]

Thanks (:

[J.Y.]

the one at 4:37

[J.Y.]

I like the way you put that letter M.W. I wish the school bords would read that. Then they would know how we would feel.

[M.W]

Oh good gosh. I just read everything and am quite amazed at the rudeness some of the bloggers are posting xp Changing they're bloging name to saying 'I hate someone' is totally child-like. Even I know that 0:-)

[J.Y.]

Hi and i am a 7th grader at southside an i realy hope that they keep southside open. When i herd that they where going to close or move southide I was so mad. With the move and everything it would mes up the students because of the new classrooms and everything else. We at southside like where we are. WE ARE AN A+ SCHOOL!!! Are FCAT scores are high too.

[M.W]

Mmkay. So, I am a Southside Fundamental student of two years now (7'th grade). I know I haven't been here long, but my heart feels like I belong here. It's home to all of us and it crushes my heart to know that people are trying to take that away from us. Yes, Madeira is an 'A' school, but it's not JUST about the grades. If you truly think about it, and put yourself in our position,you'd know why. Sure Southside is an old building, but no matter how old, how rustic, or how bad it looks, we don't care. It doesn't matter to us. We are a FAMILY. And you can ask me why I wanna stay in THE current crappy building as many times as you want, and I'll answer. It's quite simple of an answer, actually and I guess you'll wanna know it. My answer being is that if you asked me to tell you a good memory about our rotunda, I could tell you one. If you asked me about a good memory with the court that we play on at P.E, I could tell you. You see, our school has SOOOO much history! We don't wanna move. We allready have so many good memories and thats why we are going to fight to keep the school alive. I don't want different teachers. I dont want to have a nicer building to study in. I allready have so many good memories HERE and I want to keep it that way. Even my older sister whom is in college now went to Southside....7 years ago or so. Sure, the building is old, but to us it is our home away from home. And all this crap abotu the school board caring about us and our education? YEAH RIGHT! HAHA! Thats just about the EASIEST lie I have ever been able to see thorugh. All the school board cares about is MONEY MONEY MONEY. And Southside DOESN'T even have bussing! Sure, we need los of fixing, but it's not like it's a health violation or anything. We're doing just fine the way we are. I mean HAVE 'SOME PEOPLES' LOOKED AT OUR FCAT scores and stuff? HUAHHHHH? How about 23'rd in the country for Middle Schools. How's that for ya'? And 17'th in the state!? UH, HELLO! Last time I checked, our school won Battle of the Books, we have one of the top five placement choirs in the county (who went to Gatlinburg and plaed Superior Ranking, by the way), we have EXTREMELY above average FCAT scores and so much more! AND YET the school board is still TRYING to get rid of us! But what they don't understand is that even if we make it for another year and they try to close us the next, we WILL keep on fighting!......for our home, for our teachers, for the students and for all of the people who make Southside what IT IS everyday! I don't think we deserve to have to go mix with non-fundamental kids, cause incase no one noticed, that doesn't seem to go so well ;o That'd be like putting a dog with rabbies in a cage with a perfectly healthy dog. The dog with rabbies would infect the healthy dog. Get the point? How are the non-fundamental kids going to react to having new teachers and new students? I don't think ONE person with half a mind, would think that the non-fundamental would want to follow the guidelines of getting your homework signed each week, ect. Chyeah, thats a joke. AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO ALL THE FANTASTICAL TEACHERS here at Southside? YES, they DO have lives and DO need money to survive such as us. I mean we have some FANTASTIC teachers here! I believe that if the school board wants to move SOuthside and turn Madeira in to a fundamental school, then the fundamental teachers who have had years of knowing the guidelines should ALL get to go and the teachers from the non-fundamental school should try to know more about it before they automatically get the job just cause they use to teach there. But anyway, allthough this will not change anything, I thought I schould just put my mind somewhere and let other people know what the school board is doing ;o Lets re-cap!
1.) The school board cares about money, not the students.
2.) Southside Fundamental is ranked 23'rd in the country for middle schools.
3.) We have FANTASTIC teachers.
4.) No matter if we stay open for another year and then the school board tries to close us down, we are still going to fight back.
And last but not least, I want people to get this in their head. We are not just a school. We are a family. One big Stallion Family.

nice mesage Erin and L.B.

Hi and i am a student at southide. And i am still wondering why and the world would they close or move our school if we are a fudamental and we are a A+ school. And if they close it then they will most likely lose a A+ school.

[L..B. Student Council President of SFMS]

WHAT TEAM?
STALLIONS!
WHAT TEAM?
STALLIONS!
STALLIONS!
GET CHA' HEAD IN THE GAME!

[Lorenzo Bright Student Concuil President of Southside]

Hello. Im the student concuil president of southside, and i believe that our students should stay at the school! Keep the Stallions at Southside!!! We are an A+ school, and we try our best to do well! Please sign our petition at http:gopetition.com/online/23779.html, it would really help. We are all praying for Southside to stay!

[Erin Pryde]

I am a seventh grader at southside and I am loving it and can't wait to graduate just like my sister did last year, but if southside closes i won't be able to. I have met such great friends here and don't want to get seperated from them cause southside mgiht close. I ABSOLUTLY LOVE the band. I am in the Wind esemble and we are going to atlanta in april and i don't think i will have another experiance like this if soutside closes and i don't think i will have such a great band director as i have had last year and this year. Please keep southside open or at least let the teachers come with us.

[Meagan Sellards, current 7th grader]

Also, shouldn't the students and the parents get to choose? The students have to go there and the parents have to drive us.

[Sarah Donnelly]

I am an 8th grader at Southisde Fundamental Middle School and I've been here for all 3 years and I absolutly love it. It's a positive learning environment, everyone is friendly, and we all get along with each other. I think that the other students from the other middle schools wouldn't mix as well with us becasue we are held to higher standards and even though the teachers expect a lot from us, they know we can take it in stride. Whoever thinks this wonderful school should be torn down and all the students and faculty move else where, is seriously messed up and or totally confused in the head=[[[

[Meagan Sellards, current 7th grader]

I think Southside should stay open. Some of my friends I made here are great! Instead of closing it down, why not try to fix it? Both of my sisters came here and graduated and I hope to say the same. Some of my friends are fifth graders now and really want to go to Southside in a year. What about the teachers? All of the credit they have with the school might not carry on to their new school.
More great things are the band and chorus. Southside has been going to disney every year for many years now an have won so many trophies. The band is great too.

KEEP SOUTHSIDE!!

[Adam Clarke, former SFMS stallion]

Yelloooh,

I attended southside, and am currently attending osceola fundamental, and I want to say how much I love Southside. I loved how small SS is. It was great knowing everyone there, and having such a deep relationship with everyone. I was talking to some people about it, and I found out that SS was a historical landmark. But when mold was discovered, they painted over it, taking it off of it's historic landmark status. It is still the same school with the same big heart and doesn't deserve to be taken down.

[Erin Clarke, a proud SFMS stallion]

keep your hopes up Emma, we'll fight to the finish. pray for the future.

[future southside student (hopefully)]

Please keep the school. I will go in two years, and I am most definetly looking forward to it, especially going to band! I'll never get that expierience if you destroy it! :( :(
:( :( Please keep it open!
Hope I can go here!
--Emma S.