Pinellas County School District opens $15 million leadership institute
October 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM EDT
"This institute is not a resting place for past accomplishments; it;s a launching pad for future ones."
Preparing students for success starts with strong leadership, and the Pinellas County school district now has a state-of-the-art center to help foster those skills.
Pinellas County Schools (PCS) celebrated the Dr. Michael A. Grego Leadership Institute opening Oct. 2. The district also honored its namesake, who helped transform the district during his decade at the helm.
The new $15.4 million facility replaces the former Center for Professional Education at 305 4th St. SW in Largo, across from the PCS Administration Building. District officials believe the institute will embody Grego’s “spirit of improvement.”
“Dr. Grego didn’t just build systems – he built people,” said Superintendent Kevin Hendrick. “This institute is not a resting place for past accomplishments; it’s a launching pad for future ones.”
The new facility’s expansive event space hosted the Oct. 2 ceremony. (1024x574, AR: 1.78397212543554)
Construction firm Skanska and Rowe Architects broke ground on the site in March 2024. The overarching goal was to build something that enhances the growth of district professionals.
The institute will provide an expansive, modern facility for educators, administrators and staff to learn and collaborate. It features event space, breakout rooms, a serving kitchen and solar panels.
PCS will host trainings, leadership retreats and collaborative events designed to foster innovation and excellence throughout the district and community at the institute. Multiple speakers told attendees that vision, equity and heart – pillars of Grego’s leadership – would drive the facility.
Hendrick said “compassion, innovation and an unwavering commitment to every student” defined Grego’s legacy. He succeeded Grego, who led the district from 2012 to 2022.
“He stepped into a district searching for stability and gave it something far greater,” Hendrick said. “A future.”
The Center for Professional Education operated from an abandoned church and an ancillary building totaling 9,400 square feet. PCS demolished the old structures to make way for the leadership institute.
“It didn’t really serve its purpose,” Grego said. “I always used to say, ‘We’re better than this. Let’s try to prove it.‘ Let’s try to accomplish something and obtain a building.”
Grego spent 42 years in the Florida public education system and announced his retirement in January 2022. “I just think it’s a good time where things are clicking, and every aspect of our school districts is moving in a positive direction,” he told the Catalyst at the time.
The overall graduation rate soared from 70% to 92% during Grego’s tenure. Improvements among students of color were even more pronounced.
The graduation rate among the county’s Black students rose from just 56% to 86.3%, and from 63% to 92% among Hispanic youth. The percentage of non-English speaking students who graduated more than doubled, from 40% to 84%, with Grego at the helm.
Multiple struggling St. Petersburg schools benefited from Grego’s leadership and Bridging the Gap initiative, which helped reduce achievement disparities. He also launched summer programs and early literacy initiatives that expanded educational access for thousands of students.
Dr. Michael Grego (at right) with his son, daughter and wife. (1024x651, AR: 1.5729646697388633)
Modernizing district facilities was another focus for Grego. PCS invested over $750 million in rebuilding and upgrading campuses during his decade as superintendent.
Grego opened the Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School and expanded industry certification programs across all secondary schools in the district. The building bearing his name will serve as a hub for developing the next generation of local school leaders.
Grego said Thursday that he was “humbled” and momentarily “speechless” when Hendrick told him that the School Board voted to name the institute in his honor. “The building represents more than just brick and mortar,” he added.
“We wanted a space that embraces everyone.”
District administrators and faculty meet on the first Thursday of each month, and Grego said their attendance made the ceremony “extra special.” He credited Hendrick for “arranging that and his foresight in doing so,” as it set the foundation for “what this building is about.”
“Leadership has always been at the heart of everything I’ve tried to do, and it’s regardless of position,” Grego said. “How do I become the very best person I can be in the position that I’m given … and that’s what this institute is about.”
Grego thanked former House Speaker Chris Sprowls and lawmakers for providing a “significant portion” of the funding needed to build the facility, “so it didn’t fall totally on the district.” Several family members, friends and former colleagues attended the ceremony: “I couldn’t say enough thank yous,” he said.
“You are the heartbeat of our district,” Grego told the audience.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com
Pinellas County Schools (PCS) celebrated the Dr. Michael A. Grego Leadership Institute opening Oct. 2. The district also honored its namesake, who helped transform the district during his decade at the helm.
The new $15.4 million facility replaces the former Center for Professional Education at 305 4th St. SW in Largo, across from the PCS Administration Building. District officials believe the institute will embody Grego’s “spirit of improvement.”
“Dr. Grego didn’t just build systems – he built people,” said Superintendent Kevin Hendrick. “This institute is not a resting place for past accomplishments; it’s a launching pad for future ones.”
The new facility’s expansive event space hosted the Oct. 2 ceremony. (1024x574, AR: 1.78397212543554)
Construction firm Skanska and Rowe Architects broke ground on the site in March 2024. The overarching goal was to build something that enhances the growth of district professionals.
The institute will provide an expansive, modern facility for educators, administrators and staff to learn and collaborate. It features event space, breakout rooms, a serving kitchen and solar panels.
PCS will host trainings, leadership retreats and collaborative events designed to foster innovation and excellence throughout the district and community at the institute. Multiple speakers told attendees that vision, equity and heart – pillars of Grego’s leadership – would drive the facility.
Hendrick said “compassion, innovation and an unwavering commitment to every student” defined Grego’s legacy. He succeeded Grego, who led the district from 2012 to 2022.
“He stepped into a district searching for stability and gave it something far greater,” Hendrick said. “A future.”
The Center for Professional Education operated from an abandoned church and an ancillary building totaling 9,400 square feet. PCS demolished the old structures to make way for the leadership institute.
“It didn’t really serve its purpose,” Grego said. “I always used to say, ‘We’re better than this. Let’s try to prove it.‘ Let’s try to accomplish something and obtain a building.”
Grego spent 42 years in the Florida public education system and announced his retirement in January 2022. “I just think it’s a good time where things are clicking, and every aspect of our school districts is moving in a positive direction,” he told the Catalyst at the time.
The overall graduation rate soared from 70% to 92% during Grego’s tenure. Improvements among students of color were even more pronounced.
The graduation rate among the county’s Black students rose from just 56% to 86.3%, and from 63% to 92% among Hispanic youth. The percentage of non-English speaking students who graduated more than doubled, from 40% to 84%, with Grego at the helm.
Multiple struggling St. Petersburg schools benefited from Grego’s leadership and Bridging the Gap initiative, which helped reduce achievement disparities. He also launched summer programs and early literacy initiatives that expanded educational access for thousands of students.
Dr. Michael Grego (at right) with his son, daughter and wife. (1024x651, AR: 1.5729646697388633)
Modernizing district facilities was another focus for Grego. PCS invested over $750 million in rebuilding and upgrading campuses during his decade as superintendent.
Grego opened the Richard O. Jacobson Technical High School and expanded industry certification programs across all secondary schools in the district. The building bearing his name will serve as a hub for developing the next generation of local school leaders.
Grego said Thursday that he was “humbled” and momentarily “speechless” when Hendrick told him that the School Board voted to name the institute in his honor. “The building represents more than just brick and mortar,” he added.
“We wanted a space that embraces everyone.”
District administrators and faculty meet on the first Thursday of each month, and Grego said their attendance made the ceremony “extra special.” He credited Hendrick for “arranging that and his foresight in doing so,” as it set the foundation for “what this building is about.”
“Leadership has always been at the heart of everything I’ve tried to do, and it’s regardless of position,” Grego said. “How do I become the very best person I can be in the position that I’m given … and that’s what this institute is about.”
Grego thanked former House Speaker Chris Sprowls and lawmakers for providing a “significant portion” of the funding needed to build the facility, “so it didn’t fall totally on the district.” Several family members, friends and former colleagues attended the ceremony: “I couldn’t say enough thank yous,” he said.
“You are the heartbeat of our district,” Grego told the audience.
This content provided in partnership with StPeteCatalyst.com