Pinellas Education Foundation

Did you know our neighboring school districts utilize both impact fees and local sales taxes to support their schools, in addition to millage? When voters enacted the Referendum 20 years ago, Pinellas County Schools was only the second district in the state to have a local tax and it produced a distinct advantage in hiring and developing program areas. At the time, a half mill made us stand out. Now, all our surrounding districts have both impact fees and local options sales taxes to support their schools, in addition to millage. Other districts rely on these discretionary taxes to support schools. Pinellas County only has millage. ? This year, voters are asked to authorize one mill local option property tax. We need this increase to remain competitive with other counties, and retain and support high-quality teachers and support staff members. ? We understand no one wants an increase in taxes. We believe our students are worth this small increase. To learn more about the average annual cost and how the funds are used, visit https://lnkd.in/e7u3x428?

Congratulations to Michael Feeney, Pinellas County Schools Executive Director of Elementary Education, and our first-ever Impact & Innovation Award recipient! Recognized for his transformative work in early literacy, Mr. Feeney has been instrumental in improving outcomes for elementary students across the district. His dedication to fostering strong foundational learning will have a lasting impact on student success. As we celebrate Literacy Month, we are proud to honor leaders like Mr. Feeney, whose commitment to early literacy is shaping the future for students. Thank you, Mr. Feeney, for your visionary leadership and dedication to education!

We are proud to present Shy'Yonna P., Pinellas County Schools Class of 2024 and an alumna of our Take Stock in Children program, with our 2024 ChangeMaker Award! Shy'Yonna has demonstrated exceptional leadership and resilience, using her experiences to create positive change in her school, family, and community. Her dedication to education and her determination to break barriers are truly inspiring. Congratulations, Shy'Yonna, for your outstanding achievements and for being a role model to us all!

?? Congratulations to our 2024 Champion of Education, Beth Rawlins! ?? Beth Rawlins was honored last week at our ChangeMakers Breakfast for her 20+ years of dedication and advocacy for the Pinellas County Schools Referendum. Her tireless efforts have been instrumental in advancing education across our district, benefiting nearly 100,000 students each year. Thank you, Beth, for being an inspiring community leader and education champion!

Happy International Literacy Day! At Pinellas Education Foundation, we know that reading is the foundation of all learning and a key predictor of student success. That's why a third of our program budget is dedicated to supporting literacy initiatives across our district. Together, we are increasing foundational learning, one student at a time. To celebrate this day, take some time to read with a child in your life. ??

Pinellas County has several businesses and organizations supporting the passing of the 2024 Pinellas County Schools Referendum. In 2020, the Referendum renewal passed at an unbelievable rate of 79%. Let's make 2024 even stronger. We hope you will join us in supporting the Referendum - our students, schools, teachers, support staff and the future of our community are worth the investment.

This morning, we proudly hosted our ChangeMakers Breakfast, an inspiring celebration of those who believe in the transformative power of education and are making a real difference in our community. We were honored to recognize three incredible individuals—a student, an educator, and a community leader—who have each made a lasting impact on education: ?? Champion of Education Award – Beth Rawlins ?? Impact & Innovation Award – Michael Feeney, Pinellas County Schools Executive Director of Elementary Education ?? ChangeMaker Award – Shy’Yonna P., Take Stock in Children Alumna c/o 2024 Our work and accomplishments are only made possible through strong partnerships. To everyone who joined us, from our dedicated Pinellas Education Foundation team to each of you, thank you for your continued support. Together, we are building a sustainable, prosperous community where every student has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for being ChangeMakers! Stay tuned for more event photos!

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We are thrilled with the turnout of the first Mentoring Matters Match Event in collaboration with the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County Schools, and Pinellas Education Foundation. This mentor training luncheon was held for City employees who elected to become mentors for our Take Stock in Children program. So far, nearly 50 employees have signed up to be mentors and help guide students to high school graduation. We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with the City of St. Petersburg in support of mentoring! Learn more about how you change the life of a student by becoming a mentor at https://lnkd.in/g4r2jMPy

Thank you Raymond James for highlight us as a Champion of Mentoring. We are so grateful for partners like Raymond James, who elevate our work to give us visibility, allowing other corporations to see our impact and in turn invest in education. Did you know we have the largest mentoring program in Pinellas County through our Take Stock in Children initiative? We strongly believe in the power of mentoring. Many students lack positive role models to help guide them through challenges in school and in life. Read what our CEO, Kim Jowell, had to say about our mentoring program and how to have a broader impact in Pinellas County here: https://lnkd.in/eUgP34QD