Board mulls closing schools, enlarging others<\/p>\n
LARGO \u2014 The Pinellas County School Board is faced with closing some schools while expanding others as student enrollment continues to decline.<\/p>\n
The recommendations were unveiled during a Jan. 20 workshop.<\/p>\n
They would:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Close Disston Academy and Cross Bayou Elementary at the end of the school year<\/p>\n
\u2022 Combine Bay Point Elementary and Bay Pont Middle to form a K-8 school that would be located on the middle school campus beginning in the 2027-28 school year.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Expand Oldsmar Elementary into a K-8 school beginning the 2026-27 school year.<\/p>\n
\u2022 Expand the district\u2019s Employee Child Care program to McMullen Booth Elementary for the 2026\u201327 school year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese recommendations were not made lightly,\u201d said Superintendent Kevin K. Hendrick. \u201cThe academic excellence across Pinellas County Schools continues as an \u2018A\u2019 district, but we also face a declining school-age population and changing conditions that require us to thoughtfully plan for the future. Our responsibility is to ensure every student has access to high-quality instruction and schools that are positioned for long-term success.\u201d<\/p>\n
No school-based staff members will lose their jobs as a result of the recommendations. All employees will be offered placements within the district.<\/p>\n
The school district will host on-site community meetings at all impacted schools through Feb. 6. The school board will continue discussion of the recommendations at a workshop scheduled for Feb. 20, with a final vote at the Feb. 27 School Board meeting.<\/p>\n
Construction Licensing Board seeks applicants<\/p>\n
Applications are being accepted to fill two vacancies on the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB). The PCCLB consists of 15 members from various trades, along with building officials, a fire official and two consumer representatives.<\/p>\n
Candidates are needed in the following areas:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Residential Contractor: Must be licensed to do business in the state and actively engaged in the profession. The appointee will complete a current four-year term expiring September 2026 and will be eligible to reapply.<\/p>\n
\u2022 South County Building Official: Must be from Gulfport, Kenneth City, Pinellas Park, St. Petersburg, Seminole or South Pasadena. Government building officials are not subject to term limits.<\/p>\n