How old is pinellas county public schools

District officials instituted a number of cost-cutting measures as the economic depression wore on, including limiting the use of electricity, paying employees in scrip, eliminating positions, and shortening the school year and temporarily shuttering some schools. However, a dearth of supplies rerouted to assist in the war efforts meant few buildings were constructed during that time.

After the conclusion of World War II, the district expanded rapidly. Many soldiers who had visited local training facilities and military hospitals during their service relocated to the area.

The end of World War II also signaled the beginning of adult education in Pinellas County, as returning war veterans returned home to finish their education. In , the district established the first adult education program in the state. Student enrollment grew from approximately 16, in to about 69, in Between and , the district constructed 64 new schools.

A year later, a local referendum increased the number of School Board members from five to seven, as it stands today the School Board originally had three members, but had increased to five members in The honor was bestowed to districts nationwide based on excellence in the areas of student test scores, teacher salaries, administrator-teacher rapport, and construction.

Despite the U. As the result of a class action suit filed by attorney James Sanderlin on behalf of five black families, a U. District Court ruled in January that Pinellas County Schools must submit a plan to desegregate district schools. The district submitted an initial plan two months later, however, comprehensive desegregation did not occur until when Pinellas County became the first system in Florida to approve a voluntary, all-inclusive desegregation plan.

In , Pinellas County Schools was the first public school system in the state to require teachers to pass a screening test before being hired. Five years later, the state Legislature required that all teachers pass a state test to receive certification to teach in Florida. That same year, the district started what is now known as the International Baccalaureate IB program at St. Petersburg High School — the first IB program in the state. In , when the district celebrated its 75th anniversary, Pinellas County Schools was the 20th largest district in the nation with approximately 97, students and schools.

The creation of specialized programs began to grow in earnest in the s. In the early s, federal grants made possible the creation of programs devoted to technology and the arts.

Additionally, the district established programs devoted to medical professions, gifted studies, and teaching arts, and a second high school IB program was created. The first full-scale middle school magnet at John Hopkins Middle School, which is dedicated to the arts, journalism and multimedia, was created under a federal grant in Since the late s, dozens of specialized programs have been started at schools throughout the district to respond to the changing needs of Pinellas County students and families.

In recent years, several schools have been rebuilt. PCS Newsroom. Comments School Board selects chairperson, sets regular meeting schedule Nov. Level Up: Free online enrichment programs for students and families Nov. Thurgood Marshall Middle School student art chosen for state exhibit Nov. District educator wins state award Nov. PCS hosts Spanish-language virtual workshops Nov.

Oversight committee reviews Referendum spending Oct. Pinellas County Schools. Tweets by PCS. Upcoming Events. Wednesday Great American Teach-In. November 22, Thanksgiving holiday week - No school for students. Up-to-date contact information Please make sure PCS has your current contact info. District Initiatives. School counseling supervisor receives statewide recognition for leadership Nov. Middle school volleyball champions crowned Nov.

District teacher named state outstanding science educator Oct. Oversight committee meets to review Referendum spending Oct. Peachjar eFlyers. Social Media.