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NewsFOX 13 Tampa BayAugust 11, 2026Hillsborough

Pinellas County Schools implements new e-bike and smart glasses policies for 2026 school year

Pinellas County Schools has introduced new campus technology rules requiring students to follow municipal e-bike laws and prohibiting the use of smart glasses for recording. The district launched the 2026 school year maintaining an 'A' rating, despite ongoing school closures due to declining enrollment.

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Why It Matters

Students and families must now comply with new campus restrictions on e-bike parking and smart technology usage, while the district continues to manage school s resulting from a significant drop in local birth rates.

Key Facts

  • Pinellas County Schools maintained an 'A' district rating for the third consecutive year.
  • 92 percent of district schools earned an 'A' or 'B' grade, with the remainder receiving a 'C'.
  • Melrose Elementary School earned its first-ever 'A' grade.
  • The district closed Cross Bayou Elementary and Disston Academy due to low enrollment.
  • Annual hospital births in the county dropped from 10,000 to below 7,000 last year.
  • Students must now park e-bikes in designated areas and follow municipal e-bike laws, including helmet requirements.
  • Smart glasses are prohibited for recording purposes unless required for medical reasons.
  • The district has not yet confirmed final attendance numbers for the first day of the 2026 school year.

Who's Mentioned

personDr. Carmen Harris“Principal of Melrose Elementary School.”locationDisston Academy“School closed due to low enrollment.”personKevin Hendrick“Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools.”organizationPinellas County Schools“The school district managing the 2026 academic year.”organizationFlorida Department of Education“The state body that assigned the district an 'A' rating.”locationMelrose Elementary School“School that received its first 'A' grade.”locationCross Bayou Elementary“School closed due to low enrollment.”