Students First

What is “Students First”?
As part of the School District’s focus on increasing achievement for all students by raising the bar and closing achievement gaps, Superintendent Dr. Julie Janssen and the Pinellas County School Board created a comprehensive plan in 2009 to achieve 100% graduation for Pinellas County’s students by 2014.

Students First is based on Decentralized Decision Making (DDM), allowing schools to create their own staffing models and make their own financial and operational decisions, based on the best interests of their unique school community.

Why Decentralized Decision Making (DDM)?
We know that the management model in place now is not working.  Under DDM, principals have the creativity and flexibility to make decisions based on their school’s student data with the goal of increasing student performance. DDM has worked successfully in other school districts that have turned around student performance through this management method.

In 2009-10, 18 schools will be involved in the DDM pilot program:

DDM Elementary Schools:
Azalea Elementary School
Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary School
Bear Creek Elementary School
Forest Lake Elementary School
Gulfport Elementary School
Highland Lakes Elementary School
Pinellas Elementary School
Safety Harbor Elementary School
San Jose Elementary School
Sunset Hills Elementary School

DDM Middle Schools:
Kennedy/ Coachman Fundamental Middle School
Meadowlawn Middle School
Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School
Tyrone Middle School

DDM High Schools:
Boca Ciega High School
Lakewood High School
Largo High School
Northeast High School

How Will the DDM Pilot Program Work?
Principals at each DDM School will be paired with a business partner, who will work closely together throughout the school year. The business partner will serve as a sounding board, coach, and advocate to the principal, offering counsel and assistance as the principal takes on additional managerial responsibility at his or her school. Principals, administrators and school staff at each pilot school will also receive training and assistance from Pinellas County Schools throughout the year.

What Are Some Examples of New Decisions Principals May Make?
There are three main areas of increased autonomy for principals in the pilot program: Budget/ Operations; Personnel; Curriculum and Instruction. For example, in the program a principal may elect to purchase and use a reading curriculum specially targeted to its specific demographic, rather than using a different reading curriculum approved by the district that may not be the best fit.

If a school in the program is struggling with FCAT reading and math scores, principals may opt to hire additional reading or math coaches rather than hire staff in other areas.

How Can I Become Involved?
Contact the Pinellas Education Foundation for more information. If your son or daughter attends one of the Pinellas County Schools participating in the DDM pilot program, be sure to become actively involved in your PTA and SAC committee in 2009-10. Click here for more information. (Link to TBD depending on PCS plan to communicate program).