The Florida State Board of Education has approved a new intervention plan for Gulf View Middle School in Pasco County after the school received a D letter grade from the state for three consecutive years, despite the district’s own turnaround efforts.
The district is now weighing four options: continuing its own improvement plan, converting the school to a charter, contracting with outside turnaround firm MGT, or closing the school entirely.
MGT is a Tampa-based national management and education consulting firm that specializes in reversing low performance at struggling schools through data-driven academics, leadership coaching, and community engagement strategies. Under the state-approved plan, if Gulf View Middle fails to earn a C or higher when grades are released this summer, the district would bring MGT in to provide leadership coaches, subject area specialists, and monitoring services — while the school remains under its current administration.
Whether outside help will be needed remains uncertain. Pasco Schools Superintendent John Legg told the State Board of Education the school has made significant gains this year under new leadership and teachers, and expressed confidence heading into the summer grade release. “We have really strong confidence that not only will we make a C, not only will we make a B, but we are shooting for an A for this school,” Legg said. “However, we want to make sure a contract is in place because four years is way too long — this community is in desperate need.”
District officials also noted that Gulf View Middle is set to move into a brand new building this fall. MGT is the same firm the district previously used to help turn around Cox Elementary School.
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