The Pinellas County School Board announced Tuesday that Sexton Elementary School in St. Petersburg will not be included in the upcoming October 13 vote on school closures. The board said it will hold additional meetings with parents and community members before making a final decision.
Parents rally for the school
Jacquelyn Hussey, president of the Sexton PTA, told reporters that the temporary reprieve does not mean the fight is over. “We are definitely not going to get comfortable and we’re not going to stop,” Hussey said. “We’re going to keep hitting the ground and talking to as many people who will listen to us.” Hussey’s daughter, Olivia, is a second‑grader at Sexton, and the family lives just minutes from the school and the nearby recreation center.
Hussey explained that she tried to shield Olivia from the closure news for as long as possible, but the child eventually learned about the threat and became upset. “I had to break the news to her, unfortunately, and she went to pieces,” Hussey said. “But I reassured her we’re not just going to let this happen — we’re going to fight the best we can.”
Board explains the pause
Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said the board’s decision reflects a need for more community input. “It’s not something that, I think, you can just lay out a recommendation and vote the next week,” Hendrick said. “I think you have to listen, continue to gather feedback, knowing that you’re not going to make everyone happy because everyone’s unique situation is different.”
The board’s “Planning for Progress” proposal originally called for closing seven schools due to declining enrollment. Hendrick later updated the plan, proposing two new K‑8 schools in the Tarpon Springs area—one at the current Sunset Hills Elementary and another at Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary. Parents from Sexton have joined forces with families from Tarpon Springs Middle School, which also faces possible closure, to advocate for alternative solutions.
What comes next
The school board will still vote on six other schools on October 13. Zoning changes for the schools under consideration will be addressed at a separate meeting. Community members are encouraged to attend future workshops and submit feedback through the district’s website.
Emma Brisk contributed to this report as an intern with Rush Family Radio News at WUSF, the Bay Area’s NPR affiliate.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
