Pinellas plans to close schools as enrollment continues to decline

The Brief

  • No decisions have been made yet, and community meetings are being planned.
  • District leaders said the drop in enrollment is partially because the birth rate of school-aged kids has decreased.
  • They also said more families are moving out of the county and fewer are moving in, because the cost of living has increased, and their incomes have not.

LARGO, Fla. Nearly 4,000 fewer students are enrolled in Pinellas County public schools this year compared to last.

Due to that drop, and the predicted population of school-aged kids in the county remaining flat, school leaders said they’re forced to make long-term changes.

“Let me be clear, the potential recommendations will involve school closures in all likelihood,” Pinellas County Schools Superintendent Kevin Hendrick told the school board at a workshop on Tuesday.

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS