Pinellas County school leaders plan to bridge the achievement gap and they're holding a series of meetings to help make it happen.

  • Bridging the Gap meetings in Pinellas County
  • Offering programs, ways to help close achievement gap for minorities
  • More meetings to come

Parents at packed the school district’s second "Bridging the Gap" meeting at Boca Ciega High School on Tuesday. Those who attended were able to talk about a number of things like increasing graduation rates with black and non-black students.

They also talked about making sure those same students become more proficient in reading and math and that they participate in more accelerated courses and programs.

Decreasing disciplinary infractions and eligibility for Emotional Behavior Disabilities was also talked about during the meeting.

It’s a tall order but it’s something Superintendent Dr. Mike Grego says they plan to tackle.

“This is not a sit and listen. This is actually where participants are getting involved," Grego said. "The experts at each station they can write, they can talk. People will be here taking notes. So it’s one way that if we have hundreds of people here, everyone can leave feeling like they had an opportunity to give input on these measures.”

Barbara Jones is a parent who attended the meeting. She says she wants to know more about it because her son attends Maximo Elementary school. Which is one of the disctrict’s lower performing schools and Jones says the dialog at the meeting is desperately needed.

“I’m just one of those parents who want to get involved,” Jones said. “Some of the kids are struggling. Those teachers they be doing their job but some of the kids need some extra help. So that’s why I’m here to see what they’re gonna do about that. Are they gonna get extra teachers to come in and help or what are they gonna do? That’s why I’m here.”

Jones’ passion is shared by many of the people in the meeting.

School counselor Jackie Infanzon said examining the issues in the schools is vital.

“It’s important to get everyone together and on the same page. Parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, school board,” she said. “I heard a man here who didn’t have any kids here in the district. He’s just a community member and he’s here because he cares about the kids and wants to be a part of the solution and I think this is what these sessions do for us.”

If you’re a concerned parent, teacher or community member and you missed out on this meeting, don’t worry, this is one of four meetings the district has planned.

The next Bridging the Gap meeting is on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at Gibbs High School. The district says they plan to add more dates and locations for meetings.

The next meetings are:

  • Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2016 
    Gibbs High School, 850 34th St. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711.
  • Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016
    Tarpon Springs High School 1411 Gulf Road, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689