Pinellas County Schools launched the 2026 school year with high academic marks alongside strict new technology policies. The district earned an ‘A’ rating from the Florida Department of Education for the third consecutive year, with 92 percent of schools receiving an ‘A’ or ‘B’ grade.
Academic Achievements
Melrose Elementary School is celebrating its first-ever ‘A’ grade, with Principal Dr. Carmen Harris noting that this achievement is just the beginning for the school’s roughly 300 students. The district has faced declining enrollment due to a falling local birthrate, with hospital births dropping below 7,000 last year for the first time.
Superintendent Kevin Hendrick emphasized that student safety remains a top priority alongside updated campus technology rules. The district has implemented restrictions on smart technology, such as Meta glasses, to ensure students’ authentic work and privacy.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
