Cook: New fundamental high school will get 'serious consideration'

The debate over a new fundamental high school (high schools?) is getting real interesting real quick. Pinellas board member Carol Cook sent out this email this week, in response to emails from parents who want a new fundamental high school, pronto. Here's some of what she wrote:

Before I commit to anything I think it will be important that the Board determine the long range plans for the district. I will also need to look at the data. For example I will be asking for data from our staff including the waiting list for Osceola, where the students reside to see if there is an area more heavily represented than another, what they believe the impact of additional fundamental middle schools will have on the existing high school offerings and do we have enough of the “guaranteed seats” available to those that were promised the feeder patterns through high school. There are many more questions to be answered.
 
The Superintendent has begun to have conversations with representatives of FAN and I’m confident that we will be giving the idea of a new fundamental high school serious consideration.

FAN - the Fundamental Schools Advocacy Network - plans to have a big turnout at Tuesday's school board meeting, FAN co-chair Teresa Daiker told The Gradebook. How big? Daiker couldn't say, but the group has signed up 2,200 members since September, she said.

Comments

[InIt4theKids]

Thank you Mrs. Cook for thoughtfully considering supporting the opening of new Fundamental high schools.

[Ann]

Old school, you seem to be saying that a few 9th grade "traditional students" being displaced is of more importance to you than the 300-400 fundamental students who will be displaced because Osceola doesn't have enough openings. Am I understanding you correctly?

[Old school]

Lets not forget the many "traditional students" who are successful in school and well adjusted to their surroundings without the heavy parental involvement that fundamental school requires. Many of these parents do not want nor do they need a fundamental setting for their kids. Is is possible that traditional 9th graders who are slated for a neighborhood HS school will find themselves bumped out due to a fundamental program opening up? What will happen to them? The PCS board must take in to consideration the needs of all students, not just the desires of a few fundamental parents.

[Jen]

Thanks caring parent. I agree and I hope the trend continues toward separating school and sports.
Thanks also BBMOM. I'm glad my own children had the experience of pep rallies and Friday night football, marching band, etc. But I'm tired of seeing sports emphasizing excellence and academics getting watered down, partly because students are so "busy" with other activities. I would vote for students having to master their subjects and just playing intramural sports. Or as caring parent mentioned, there are plenty of opportunities outside of school, travel teams, etc.

[BBMOM]

Jen - Osceola Fundamental HS has all sports just like non-fundamental high schools. Yes they have to have the grade point average, but so do non fundamental HS. I believe it is a 2 GPA. Which is a "C". If a student doesn't have at least a "C" then he/she shouldn't be spending time on sports anyway. In fundamental Middle Schools they do not have the normal sports like basketball, track, etc. that a non fundamental middle school has. Hope that helps.

[Caring parent]

Jen,

I am not fundamental parent, but I would choose fundamental HS with limited sports over a comprehensive sports program any day. My kids are all in sports, and I think it's important, but I'm willing to pay for it outside of school. Education is the most important thing in their lives.

[InIt4theKids]

A student doesn't have to be a top 10 student to meet Fundamental guidelines, though many are. I know sports is important to many. I wish academics was viewed as equally important. Learning lasts a lifetime. A career in sports is rare and fleeting. The district could have both if there was only a commitment to studies, personal responsibility for one's actions and respecting one another.

[Jen]

Do fundamental high schools have sports? How does that work? In my nonfundamental high school, many of the athletes would not be able to meet fundamental standards. Obviously many athletes are also excellent students, but I am curious about what parents would choose if they have to choose between fundamental school with limited athletics or nonfundamental with winning traditions.

[InIt4theKids]

I cant' speak for PHUHS, but St. Pete High non-IB kids do OK already. The schools that are currently struggling are the ones that need Fundamental programs.

[retired]

Have fundamental high school at PHUHS and St. Pete High so when kids don't get in those IB programs they can go to the fundamental program. Their helicopter parents can go there with them.

[InIt4theKids]

You're right Ann. I know many families who are struggling with the tuition at private school. They are thinking IB or CAT for high school; two outstanding programs. They are considering Osceola, but think it's too far. If their kids don't get into IB or CAT, they'll probably stay in private. Just imagine all those private school dollars coming into the public school system! I think it would be a fiscally sound move to expand the Fundamental program to include more high schools.

[Reagan]

Thank you for your open mendedness Mrs Cook!

[Ann]

I suspect many parents whose kids aren't in a Fundamental MS would put their kids in a Fundamental HS if it was an option. It's getting harder for many to afford private school tuition.

[South County Parent]

That's the truth! Fundamental=Accountability. If all Pinellas schools had the same foundation, everyone would benefit. But, until that is a reality, we need more Fundamental High Schools. That's doable. The other should be a long-term goal. There are lots of parents in south county who want a safe environment for their kids. Osceola's just too far for many. That's why a lot of parents couldn't go to Madeira Beach when they closed Southside. Wanted to, just too far away.

[InIt4theKids]

I agree that the Board needs to look at how to improve all Pinellas schools. The key is accountability. The Fundamental program works because students and parents are held accountable for behavior and commitment to learning. The contract gives the administration the ability to follow through if these expectations are not met. Unfortunately, it seems that in other schools in the District the administration is unable to hold students accountable. This results in a few students impacting an entire school. It's sad that a program (Fundamental) that provides an environment where students can feel safe and thereby learn is viewed as negative.

Is it wrong to expect parents to be involved in their child's education? Isn't that part of the deal?

[HS Teach]

Another fundamental school will only be able to meet the needs of a small segment of the PCS student population. Consideration should be given to WHY there is such support for fundamental schools from the community.

I'm not saying "don't open another fundamental school"....I'm asking "what's happening in our existing schools that causing this increased demand for fundamental?"

The PCS board simply MUST address that question. Policies that support the right of the majority of children to an education free of the restraints created by constant disruptions of a minority of the population would benefit all of our high schools.

Building administrators must support teachers, district administrators must support administration at the school level. Someone, somewhere must have the chutzpah to stand up to the "idiots" who are intent on running the "asylum"!

[Ray]

Take Clearwater Intermediate School and make it into a fundamental high school. It's just the right size, has a gym, etc,

[BBMOM]

Sorry typo - should be 2200 members.

[BBMOM]

Cook definately has the right idea. If we are planning for the future needs of the district, which we should be, then Fundamental needs to continue to grow, especially seats in High School.
With 2200 memners signed up on FAN since September, it seems like there is definately a lot of interest in the need for more Fundamental High Schools in Pinellas county. Make the right decision for our kids.

[John]

Without a doubt all sorts of accommodations will be made to get blacks and others into the school.

[Joe Cool]

Fundamental schools, unlike Charter schools, are great. THE PCSB needs to shut down some of these terrible and/or potentially corrupt charter schools and build more fundamentals.

[South County Parent]

Ditto the comments by Pinellas Voter. Don't just look at the Osceola wait lists & application numbers. Osceola is too far for parents who live in South St Pete. We need another Fundamental Proram in South St Petersburg!

[caleb]

Countryside High School would be a logical choice for a fundamental high school. It is currently a "D" rated school, could serve north county, and has no existing magnet programs.

[caring parents]

Clearwater!

[Voter]

Thank you Mrs. Cook for your openminded consideration of this request. That is what all School Board members should be doing, staying open minded and reviewing the facts. There is a demand now we need the supply

[Pinellas Voter]

Thanks to Mrs. Cook for keeping an open mind on this issue. My only comment is that demand for Osceola High School shouldn't be one of the strongest considerations. Many of us in the north county areas won't apply for Osceola becaue it is simply too far away to consider. We need to adequately serve the whole county with fundamental high school access.

[Joy]

This is great news! The School Board can only be impressed with the results of the fundamental schools they already have and who could argue with increased studenta achievement and lower costs?

[South County Parent]

It is wonderful to hear that Mrs. Cook is open-minded with regards to establishing another Fundamental High School. She obviously is someone who considers the best interests of the students in Pinellas County when making decisions. I know that many parents will thank the School Board when they vote "yes" on this issue.
Those of us in south county would love a Fundamental school where we could send our kids.

[Fundamental Mom]

Thank you, Mrs. Cook! I am confidant that upon giving fundamental high schools serious consideration the school board will understand the merits and approve a plan to offer our kids additional fundamental high school opportunities! Thank you, thank you!!!