By Ron Matus, Times Staff Writer
Monday, August 16, 2010
Bud Zimmer, the one-man army who pushed for the creation and expansion of fundamental schools in Pinellas County, died Sunday. His wife, Jane Zimmer, said he had been admitted into Countryside Mease Hospital on Aug. 7.
A retired U.S. Army officer, Zimmer became known as "Mr. Fundamental" for his passionate devotion to unique-to-Pinellas schools that stress parental involvement. He lobbied for conversion of Curtis Elementary in Clearwater into a fundamental school in 1976, then never slowed down.
The district now has more than 7,000 students in nine fundamental schools. They boast some of the highest test scores and lowest disciplinary rates in Pinellas.
Last fall, the Fundamental Schools Advocacy Network, for whom Zimmer served as chairman emeritus, gave him its first annual "Bud Light" award.
"Bud motivates, encourages and when necessary, prods parents, teachers, administrators and school board members alike in his advocacy for our students and our fundamental school program," fundamental parent and FAN member Jean Willingham said at the time. "He is a researcher, statistician, reporter and advocate."
Zimmer kept close tabs on all things school-related in Pinellas, especially FCAT scores and suspension rates, and offered frequent critiques of the St. Petersburg Times' education coverage.
His last one came Aug. 8. After a Times story on the latest round of school grades, Zimmer's wife sent this note to The Gradebook: Bud "wanted you to know that today was a good article. He's concerned that the citizens, parents, students, etc. need to know each school's current grade and that it would be very helpful to know last's year's grade for comparison. So, he's begging you to print this for the public's information."