The trial for a class action lawsuit against the Pinellas school district will remain in Clearwater, but will draw jurors from all over the county, a judge decided Tuesday. Plaintiffs wanted the trial moved to St. Petersburg, which was a fairly unusual request, since few ever care where a trial is held within the county. But this is a case about race. The lawsuit alleges that the school district has failed to undertake programs that would reduce or eliminate the achievement gap between black and white students. Plaintiffs wanted the trial moved to St. Pete, where a more racially diverse jury would, in theory, be impaneled. The case is scheduled to go to trial in the fall.

- Tom Tobin, Pinellas County education reporter