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The Gradebook

Submit your questions for Pinellas School Board candidates

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

Got a question you’re dying to ask the Pinellas school board candidates? Well then, fire away. Right here. The Gradebook is rounding up questions for an Aug. 3 candidates forum that is being co-sponsored by the Pinellas Education Foundation, the Pinellas County Council of PTAs, WPDS-Channel 14 and the St. Petersburg Times. All the questions posed to candidates that night will be taken from this Gradebook post. The deadline for submission is Friday, July 16. If you want to remain…

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Pinellas teachers union endorsements irritate teacher candidates

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

The teachers running for Pinellas school board this year are miffed they didn’t win backing from what would seem a natural ally: the teachers union. The union’s political action committee chose incumbent Linda Lerner over middle school teacher Brian Hawley and retired principal Terry Krassner over math/science coach Fonda Huff. The union’s PAC also endorsed incumbent Peggy O’Shea over Greg Hunsinger, who retired as a teacher last year. “Very frustrated” is how Hawley, a teachers union representative at Largo Middle School, described his reaction…

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Mendee Ligon withdraws from Pinellas school board race, Lew Williams considering a run

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From The Gradebook: St. Petersburg dentist Mendee Ligon announced today she is withdrawing from the District 2, at large race, less than two weeks after she filed. In a press release, she cited personal reasons, noting that her mother has become extremely ill. “My desire to serve the children and parents in Pinellas County is strong; however, my need to be there for my mother is stronger,” she said in the release. — Separately, I’m hearing former area supeintendent Lew Williams is definitely running.

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Profile of Pinellas School Board candidate Jim Jackson

in The Bay and the 'Burg by

The quality of Pinellas schools has fallen enough that it will impact the recruitment of businesses, and the district has itself to blame, said school board candidate James “Jim” Jackson. “A vibrant community needs a world-class school system. I don’t think we have that right now,” Jackson told The Gradebook. “What company is going to look at Pinellas County … when we have so many D- and F-rated schools that their employees have to send their children to? I certainly…

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Pinellas School Board member warns of pay cuts if SB 6 passes

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Pinellas School Board member Carol Cook tells The Gradebook that pay cuts may be back on the table if SB 6 becomes law: With the financial mandate imposed by SB 6 on top of other budget pressures, Pinellas board member Carol Cook said she can’t rule out that the district might go back on its contract with the teachers union and revisit the small “step” raises it agreed to give teachers in 2010-11. “Am I willing to say now we would…

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