School Board okays grant that Lerner opposed, approves new charter school

In trying economic times, why would any school board member turn down free money for its district?

Pinellas School Board member Linda Lerner says that in the case of money from a group called Learning for Life, it's because it will send a message: that the district doesn't condone discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

On Tuesday, Lerner urged the School Board to turn down a $75,000 character education grant from Learning for Life because the group is a subsidiary of the Boy Scouts of America, which prohibits openly gay individuals from serving as leaders and has been accused of targeting gay members as well. This year the grant is set to serve students in 10 schools.

Lerner has raised the Boy Scouts discrimination issue many times since Learning for Life began operating in Pinellas nine years ago. She has been shot down every time.

On Tuesday, the board approved the grant 5-2, with Lerner and Janet Clark voting no.

Charter okayed

In other business, the board voted unanimously to approve the charter for the Florida High School for Accelerated Learning — Pinellas County Campus Inc.

The charter school is slated to open in Kenneth City next fall, and it will serve at-risk students in grades 7-12. It will be the fourth charter school to serve struggling high school students in Pinellas, with applications for at least two more headed for board votes.

The new school's approach is big on technology, flexible scheduling and a self-set pace. It aims to serve 300 students next year and 600 by its fifth year.