Politics & Government

Mayor, Pinellas Superintendent Announce Education Program

To help start the program, St. Pete Mayor Bill Foster presented Pinellas Education Foundation Chairman James Myers with a $41,000 check.

St. Pete's Promise is a new education partnership initiative announced Thursday by Mayor Bill Foster and Pinellas County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Michael Grego. 

The program is designed to "bridge the achievement gap and impact the education of every pubic school in St. Petersburg."

To help start the program, Foster presented Pinellas Education Foundation Chairman James Myers with a $41,000 check. 

Those funds were raised through city St. Petersburg employees taking payroll deductions, Foster said. 

"Education is public safety, economic development, job creation, having an educated workforce, (and that) rolls into housing," Foster said. "It was Mayor Baker that helped me understand that a mayor’s job is much easier when you have a great education system."

Grego said he hopes other Pinellas mayors take after Foster in partnering with the school district to improve public education and community involvement in education. 

"Education is all of our business," Grego said. 

St. Pete's Promise start was partially funded by St. Pete city employee contributions through payroll deductions, Foster said.

Foster said the program will focus on recruiting and training mentors from St. Pete, raising funds for college scholarships for low-income students, advocating for more legislative support for schools and teachers, proving grants and building a better relationship with the school district. 


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