Message from Pinellas school district last night to parents at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School: Good evening, Thurgood Marshall families. This is Michael Bessette, Associate Superintendent for the Pinellas County School District. I’m calling on behalf of Dr. Stewart to let you know that district staff is aware of your concerns regarding the proposed bell schedule for your school, which is scheduled for School Board approval on Tuesday along with all other school bell schedules.

There are no changes to any school’s start times from this year, meaning the current recommendation is that Thurgood Marshall’s time would remain the same. While Dr. Stewart has decided that the agenda item will go forward as planned, he has directed district staff to look at additional alternatives for Thurgood Marshall’s bell schedule. He intends to present those alternatives to you in a meeting at your school in the near future. Should a decision to adjust the current bell schedule be reached as a result of our conversation as a group, an amended bell time would be presented for School Board approval at a later time.

Thank you for your patience as we move forward to do what’s best for all children in the district.