|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
St. Petersburg Mayor wins Superintendent’s Service Award
By NINA BARRINGER
Article published on Thursday, March 1, 2007 |
LARGO – St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker said he was voted “Most Likely to Appear Before the Superintendent” in high school.
But I don’t think this is what they had in mind,” he joked.
Baker was named the 2007 recipient of the Superintendent’s Service Award during the regular Pinellas County School Board meeting Feb. 20.
Superintendent Clayton Wilcox honored Baker, in part, for being a unifying force between corporations and county schools.
“Because of Rick Baker, more than 70 corporate partners are serving all schools in St. Pete,” Wilcox said. “He is a strong city leader – someone who cares passionately about the schools.”
Baker received his award from Wilcox as dozens of county principals gave him a standing ovation.
“I am thankful to the superintendent for his support,” the mayor said. “I am humbled by the work principals do, and thankful for the work teachers do.”
The mayor has visited every school in St. Petersburg, many multiple times. Baker said people have asked him about his involvement in the schools.
“Other candidates … questioned what schools have to do with running the city. Schools have everything to do with a city,” Baker said. “You have to have great schools in order to be a great city.”
Wilcox noted that Baker and St. Petersburg have funded more than 625 Doorways college scholarships, with a commitment to fund more.
The Doorways Scholarship Program serves students with financial needs and a commitment to their education. As part of the program, each student is assigned a mentor, whose primary function is to offer motivation and guidance.
Once trained, mentors devote one hour a week to students at the public school of their choice throughout the academic year. Mentor-student visits take place on school grounds, during school hours.
Through his Mayor’s Mentors & More Program, Baker has encouraged city personnel to mentor in the city’s schools. He has established an administrative policy that offers employees a paid leave of up to 1.5 hours a week to mentor in the schools while on the city’s clock.
The mayor also believes that attracting quality educators is critical to the city and its future. He has established The A+ Housing Program, which provides financial assistance to qualified teachers in St. Petersburg schools when they purchase a home.
“If we’re going to have great schools in St. Pete, we need to recruit and retain great teachers,” Baker said.
Baker also created the Mayor's Top Apple Awards in 2005 to help honor St. Petersburg public schools that earned an “A” from the state or that improved their grade from the previous year.
Flanked by his wife, Joyce, and support staff, Baker accepted his award with gratitude to Wilcox and the School Board. Their cooperation and commitment, he said, are paramount to the success of his office’s education initiatives.
“We’ve got even greater things to come,” he said.
|
Article published on Thursday, March 1, 2007
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tampa Bay Newspapers
9911 Seminole Blvd.
Seminole, FL 33772
(727) 397-5563
Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
|
|
