If you’d like to take part in discussions, it starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Boca Ciega High School.
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — Pinellas County Schools is asking for your thoughts as the number of school-age children in the county is going down. So, district leaders are hosting community meetings about what to do next.
The district said enrollment has been declining over the past decade. That’s why leaders are launching Planning for Progress community meetings, beginning at 5:30p.m. Wednesday at Boca Ciega High School. The goal is to gather feedback and discuss what new programs need to be introduced or even possible school closures.
Back in September, the Pinellas County school board reviewed new enrollment numbers, and those numbers show student counts continue to drop at elementary, middle and high schools. District leaders said more families are turning to charter schools or homeschooling, leaving nearly 3,600 fewer students enrolled in Pinellas County public schools this year.
Fewer students also mean less funding, so the district is now looking at possible grade changes, population trends and whether some schools might need to be consolidated or even closed.
“The voice of the public, our employees, and anyone interested in schools is very important in this conversation. We’d like to hear key ideas on topics such as including population trends, school building capacity, new school programs and the possibility for new grade configurations like K-8s or 6-12s,” Pinellas County Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said.
“Schools are often the linchpin of our community, as a cultural hub, and an educational hub in our neighborhoods. I hope the school district does everything they can to explore alternative options and ideas. Things like renting out space in school buildings so that they don’t have to consolidate schoolings,” St. Pete City Councilman Richie Floyd said.
The district said it plans to present its initial recommendations to the school board in January. Wednesday marks the first of several community meetings.