Pinellas County School Board members gathered Thursday for a public workshop where Superintendent Kevin Hendrick presented a comprehensive restructuring plan for the district’s elementary schools. The proposal calls for the closure of six elementary campuses and the conversion of several others to K‑8 or fundamental formats, all aimed at balancing the budget while preserving educational choice for families.
Schools slated for closure
The board is considering shutting down St. Petersburg’s Blanton Elementary, John M. Sexton Elementary and Bear Creek Elementary at the end of the 2026‑27 academic year. In addition, Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary, Clearwater’s Kings Highway Elementary and Lealman Innovation Academy could also cease operations after the same school year.
Proposed re‑configurations
Beyond closures, the district plans to reshape several campuses. Azalea Elementary in St. Petersburg would merge with the current Azalea Middle School site to become a K‑8 school, while the existing Azalea Middle School would move to the Boca Ciega High School campus for the 2027‑28 school year and receive a new name. Students would begin attending the new K‑8 institution in 2028‑29. A similar approach is under review for Tarpon Springs Middle School, which may close to make way for a new fundamental K‑8 school on its property.
Pinellas Park Elementary is slated to become a fundamental K‑5 school in the 2027‑28 school year, joining the district’s broader “Planning for Progress” initiative that emphasizes traditional, structured learning environments with clear expectations and accountability for both students and parents.
Rationale and community input
Superintendent Hendrick emphasized that the district does not seek to close schools lightly. “No one on the board wants to close a school,” he said, “but we have an obligation to balance the budget and remain competitive in the ever‑changing landscape of school choice.” He noted that decisions are based on multiple factors, including projected enrollment trends, program demand, facility age, and maintenance costs.
Data from the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research suggests that Pinellas County’s school‑age population will either decline or level off through 2050, while the senior population (age 80+) is expected to double. These demographic shifts, combined with the proximity of many schools, drive the need for consolidation and more efficient use of district resources.
Chief Operations Officer Jennifer Dull reported that community outreach meetings were held over the summer to gather input on potential closures, mergers, and other changes. The district plans a series of site‑based meetings for each school with a specific recommendation, and any school slated for closure will receive a secondary community meeting to ensure thorough public participation.
Impact on staff and future vote
Hendrick reassured teachers and staff that the plan does not anticipate layoffs. “There is no anticipated layoff of employees and no one will lose their job as a result of these recommendations,” he said, noting that natural attrition will absorb any staffing adjustments over time.
The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes on October 13. If approved, the closures and re‑configurations will take effect at the end of the 2026‑27 academic year, with the new K‑8 and fundamental models rolling out over the following two years.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
