The Pinellas County School District is seeking public input on the next phase of campus closures and consolidations as it responds to falling student enrollment and rising maintenance costs for older campuses.
Community Meetings
Three community meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday at Dunedin High School, Pinellas Park High School, and St. Petersburg High School. Residents can also submit feedback online through the district’s Planning for Progress initiative.
The district is trying to make more efficient use of taxpayer dollars as enrollment continues to decline and repair and maintenance costs for aging buildings rise. Earlier this year, the School Board approved closing Cross Bayou Elementary and Disston Academy at the end of the school year after officials determined both schools were significantly under capacity and required millions of dollars in repairs.
Declining Enrollment
According to the district, several factors are contributing to fewer students in Pinellas County schools, including declining birth rates. Census data shows the number of babies born in Pinellas County dropped by roughly 25% between 1990 and 2020, leaving fewer school-aged children to fill classrooms.
District staff are expected to present recommendations to the School Board in early fall after reviewing community feedback and updated enrollment and facility data.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
