Low-performing Pinellas schools prompts Castor letter to feds

Tampa-area Congress member Kathy Castor has written to the U.S. Department of Education asking them to look at how the Pinellas County School District is spending federal money that is supposed to go to schools in high-poverty areas; it’s in response to an investigation by the Tampa Bay Times finding that five south St. Petersburg elementary schools have become among the worst-performing in the state.

Castor says, “this community is not going to stand for elementary schools that are at the rock bottom of reading and math in the state of Florida.”

Castor says she intends to talk with Pinellas Schools Superintendent Michael Grego Wednesday after the two exchanged several messages this week.

Here’s WMNF News’ interview with Pinellas County School Board member Rene Flowers.

Here’s WMNF News’ interview with two Tampa Bay Times reporters.