For months, there has been a ton of speculation about which south Pinellas County high school -- if any -- would move toward being the district's next fundamental high school. It looks like Boca Ciega may be the one.

By an 87-13 margin, the teachers at Boca Ciega voted yes last week on the following question: "Do you as a faculty member at Boca Ciega High School recommend becoming a Fundamental High School and changing the 2008-11 PCTA/PCSB Bargaining Agreement to align with the requirements of the Pinellas County School Board should we become a Fundamental High School?"

Boca Ciega principal Paula Nelson tells the Gradebook that the next step is for the School Advisory Council to vote on the idea. If most SAC members say yes, the school will file an application with the district, she said.

Boca Ciega is at least the third high school whose supporters have indicated they want to go fundamental, joining Dunedin High and Clearwater High. Last fall, the School Board politely said no to a push by fundamental parents to open a second fundamental high school, pronto. It's unclear when the board will take up the issue again, but does anyone think things are going to stay quiet on that front for long?

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