PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and school leaders of Pinellas County discussed school operations ahead of this week following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on the area.
After an assessment on Sunday, only eight schools remain without power out of the 40 schools on Friday.
As of Sunday night, 43,000 Pinellas residents remain without power.
According to the county, the storm surge caused major damage to two Pinellas County Schools— Gulf Beaches Elementary and Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8.
“We know that this plan will inconvenience some for relocating these schools and nearly 2,000 students,” said Hendrick.
The closures will impact the Lealman Innovation, Osceola Fundamental, and Walsingham Elementary school communities.
- Madeira Beach Elementary students will attend Walsingham Elementary (11:40 a.m. to 4:40 p.m.)
- Madeira Beach Middle students will attend Osceola Fundamental High (12:10 p.m. to 5:10 p.m.)
- Osceola Fundamental High students will attend school from 6:25 a.m. to 12:05 p.m.
Before school care for Madeira Beach Elementary students will be available by Wednesday for parents to drop off their children at the normal 8 a.m. start time if needed. Transportation will be provided to the new sites.
All schools within Pinellas County will resume normal operations on Monday, except the two schools that suffered the major damage, along with Disston Academy.
The roughly 70-person student body of Disston Academy will join Lealman Innovation.
The district will have childcare on Monday and Tuesday for students who attend Gulf Beaches and Madeira Beach Fundamental from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tyrone Middle School.
Families do not have to register in advance, but they must check in during drop-off.
“The beautiful part about this is they already have the piece of knowing each other and knowing who their classroom teacher is and knowing those expectations,” said Chris Ateek, principal of Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8. “Now it’s reacclimating and really just getting in and dimmer-switching this and bringing people back together.”
Superintendent Hendrick said hundreds of school employees either lost their homes or had their homes suffer severe damage from Hurricane Helene. One employee lost their life during the storm.
“Some of our employees we’ve talked to this is the third time in the year that their homes have flooded,” said Hendrick. “Some will move and not come back. That includes families.”
The district does not anticipate teacher shortages, however, there’s a team of 1,000 substitute teachers who are prepared to assist.
Hendrick offered support on behalf of the school district, “for days, weeks, and months” for the mental health of students and staff.
“We as a community come together to support one another,” Hendrick said. “We will get through this together.”
“Pinellas County Schools is committed to providing continued, high-quality instruction for all students,” the district said.
The district is hosting two parent meetings on Monday night to answer questions about the transition.
- Gulf Beaches Elementary
- Meeting location: Boca Ciega High School
- Time: 5 p.m.
- Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8
- Meeting location: Osceola Fundamental High School
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
For additional information on Pinellas County Schools, click here.
