Pinellas reveals recommended school closures, consolidations

Schools in Pinellas Park and Gulfport are officially on the chopping block as district officials have unveiled the first round of recommended closures amid a steep decline in enrollment.

According to Pinellas County Schools data, the number of students in classrooms plummeted by approximately 30,000 between 2006 and 2024. Leadership warned of imminent changes as the 2025-26 school year began in the fall.

School board members heard the much-anticipated recommendations at a workshop Tuesday. The district plans to close Cross Bayou Elementary and Disston Academy after the academic year ends in late May.

“These recommendations were not made lightly,” Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said in a prepared statement. “The academic excellence across Pinellas County Schools (PCS) continues as an ‘A’ district, but we also face a declining school-age population and changing conditions that require us to thoughtfully plan for the future.”

A graphic showing the steady decline in school enrollment. Image: Pinellas County Schools.

The changes are part of the district’s ongoing Planning for Progress initiative. Officials designed the recommendations to address long-term enrollment trends, ensure the responsible use of district resources and maintain “strong, sustainable learning environments” for students countywide.

The proposals, which still require the school board’s approval, reflect a multi-year planning effort that included enrollment and utilization data analysis, community feedback and a review of legislative changes affecting district facilities, PCS said.

“Our responsibility is to ensure every student has access to high-quality instruction and schools that are positioned for long-term success,” Hendrick said.

The announcement states that no school-based staff members will lose their jobs as a result of the changes. PCS will offer all employees placements within the district, with “staffing decisions prioritizing continuity and stability for students and families.”

Cross Bayou Elementary, at 6886 102nd Ave. in Pinellas Park, has received a “C” grade from the state since 2014. The district will reassign students to nearby schools, including Bardmoor and Pinellas Central Elementary, which earned “A” grades during the 2024-25 academic year.

The presentation states that Cross Bayou needs over $5.1 million in capital improvements. Bardmoor and Pinellas Central “have undergone recent, comprehensive renovations.”

PCS notified families, staff members and school-based community partners of Cross Bayou’s closing Tuesday. Stakeholder meetings will occur Thursday at 6 p.m., and Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.

Disston Academy, at 5125 11th Ave. S. in Gulfport, offers an Educational Alternative Services (EAS) program that currently serves 52 on-campus students in grades 6-12. The site also houses the district’s virtual Teleschool program for approximately 200 students with “significant” conduct infractions at previously assigned schools.

PCS will relocate students and programs to “established educational alternative sites” in St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater. Bayside High will begin hosting Teleschool in the 2026-27 academic year.

Disston Academy, which opened in 1926 as Gulfport Junior High, requires $2 million in repairs or $500,000 to demolish existing structures. The district will annually save $3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, by closing the two schools.

PCS will also notify Disston Academy stakeholders of its closure Tuesday. Community meetings will take place Monday, Jan. 25, at 1:45 p.m., and Feb. 3 at 3 p.m.

District enrollment hovered around 110,000 students from 2000 through 2006. The number of students in public school classrooms dropped below 80,000 in 2024.

The presentation states that the number of school-age children in Pinellas will continue decreasing or plateau through 2050. Meanwhile, experts expect the population of residents aged 80 or older to double within the same period.

“What do you do when you have declining enrollment? You find different ways to save money and trim around the edges,” Hendrick told the Catalyst in August.

PCS plans to sell or lease the two school sites and four other district-owned properties throughout Pinellas. Additional recommended changes include:

• Combining Bay Point Elementary and Bay Point Middle into a K-8 school on the latter facility’s campus at 2151 62nd Ave. S. in St. Petersburg. The change will occur in the fall of 2027.
• Expanding Olsmar Elementary into a K-8 school beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
• Expanding the district’s Employee Child Care program into two buildings at McMullen-Booth Elementary in the fall.

The school board will discuss the recommendations at another workshop scheduled for Feb. 17. Members will hold a final vote Feb. 24.

District officials will provide additional recommendations in the fall. “This work and conversation are both essential to ensure Pinellas County Schools remains strong, stable and student-centered for years to come,” Hendrick said.

The district plans to sell or lease these properties, in addition to the Cross Bayou Elementary and Disston Academy sites. Image: Pinellas County Schools.