LARGO, Fla. — Tuesday, the Pinellas County Schools board unanimously approved a series of proposals to close and consolidate a handful of schools.
The move, the district officials say, will help it save money and adjust to declining enrollment.
What You Need To Know
Pinellas County school board members voted to approve a number of changes the district says will help it adjust to declining enrollment
Disston Academy and Cross Bayou Elementary will close, Bay Point Elementary and Middle will combine to form a K-8, and Oldsmar Elementary will expand to a K-8
According to the district, the changes will save $7.7 million in recurring annual expenses
Read previous coverage: Final word on Pinellas schools closings and consolidations likely Tuesday
The board approved combining Bay Point Elementary and Middle Schools into a K-8 and expanding Oldsmar Elementary to eighth grade. Cross Bayou Elementary School and Disston Academy will both close at the end of this school year.
For some, it was an emotional decision.
“I’ll only ask you one more time: Please save my school,” said Michael Gerke, a parent of a Cross Bayou student and volunteer at the school.
Gerke says Cross Bayou Elementary should not be on the chopping block. He previously told Spectrum Bay News 9 the school’s 250-student population makes it easier for educators to know the kids than at a bigger school.
He also said he doesn’t think the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program should be disturbed.
In the end, that proposal, like the others, passed with a 7-0 vote from the board. Gerke and his son were visibly upset afterwards, walking out of the meeting and declining an on-camera interview.
“Any closure is impactful for the communities we serve. We certainly heard from Cross Bayou Elementary School community members who are not happy with this recommendation, and we should expect that,” said Superintendent Kevin Hendrick. “Our schools should be places that are loved and remembered fondly. It is my responsibility, though, and obligation to provide our families with excellent academic choices and programs while maintaining a balanced budget.”
Hendrick told board members Cross Bayou is only at 40% utilization and needs $5 million in maintenance. According to the district, closing it, along with the other changes, can save $7.7 million on recurring annual expenses. Another is expanding Oldsmar Elementary to a K-8.
One parent told the board he supports it.
“Three more years, my kids get to be together as siblings. That increases the togetherness, the bond, the psychological safety. Not only, though, is it stability for them, it is stability for my wife and I as parents,” said Oldsmar Elementary parent Curtis Campogni.
The superintendent said expanding Oldsmar will take it from 57% utilization up to 95%.
Board member Eileen Long said she’s heard from parents who asked for closer options for middle school.
“When your child goes to Carwise and you work until 5 p.m. and then want to go to open house at 6 p.m., a lot of parents didn’t make it. We have a lot of support for this,” Long said.
The Oldsmar expansion will happen in phases beginning next school year. Bay Point K-8 will begin in 2027-28, and Disston Academy will close at the end of this school year.
According to district information, more comprehensive recommendations are expected this fall. They wouldn’t go into effect until the 2027-28 school year.