Nov. 12, 2024
The School Board approved new names for a K-8 school, an employee childcare center and a leadership training center at Tuesday's regular board meeting.
The school formed by combining Walsingham and Southern Oak elementary schools was named Walsingham Oaks K-8. 
The leadership center, which is under construction, was named the Dr. Michael A. Grego Leadership Institute.
The Employee Child Care Center, which opened over the summer, was named the Bette Ra Ivey Discovery Center.
Walsingham Oaks K-8 was renamed to honor both school communities. The new school is slated to open in the 2025-2026 school year.
The leadership center and employee child care center were named to honor living individuals with legacies in public education.
Dr. Grego retired from Pinellas County Schools in 2022 after a decade as superintendent. His career in Florida public education spanned 42 years. The leadership institute will provide professional growth opportunities for employees working in the district and the surrounding community. The center is targeted to open in July 2025.
Bette Ra Ivey is a former teacher, principal, supervisor, and area superintendent for Pinellas County Schools. The employee childcare center is available to all full-time, benefit-eligible Pinellas County Schools employees with children 1 to 3 years old.
The community was invited to suggest names for the facilities from Sept. 16-30. The district received 128 suggestions for the K-8 school, 65 for the employee child care center and 33 for the leadership institute.
