Pinellas County seeks input on school closure plans
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Pinellas County Schools leaders will hold public meetings in the coming weeks to seek input on plans to close seven schools and restructure others.
The big picture: The potential closures are the latest fallout from declining public school enrollment that district officials attribute to falling birth rates and affordability challenges for young families.
The latest: Community meetings will begin at 6pm Tuesday at Boca Ciega High, Sexton Elementary and Tarpon Springs Fundamental.
- More public meetings are scheduled Wednesday and Thursday, plus Sept. 21 and Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at district campuses. Find the full schedule here.
- The School Board will review the recommended changes at a workshop on Oct. 6 and vote on them Oct. 13.
Catch up quick: Superintendent Kevin Hendrick this week unveiled sweeping changes, including closures of the following campuses at the end of the school year:
- Kings Highway, Azalea, Blanton, Bear Creek, Sexton and Tarpon Springs Fundamental elementary schools, and Lealman Innovation Academy.
Plus: Several more campuses would be restructured or relocated. Among those plans:
- Tarpon Springs Middle would transition to a new K-8 fundamental school for the next school year, while Pinellas Park Elementary would shift to a K-5 fundamental.
- Boca Ciega High would become a technical school offering career training and certifications starting in the 2028-29 school year, while Azalea Middle would move to a building on Boca Ciega's campus and be renamed.
- Azalea Elementary would move to the former Azalea Middle campus and transition to a K-8 over three years, beginning next school year with the addition of grade six.
Go deeper: Find detailed overview of each change on the district's website here.