Pinellas school closure plan revised: Sexton decision delayed, two K-8 schools proposed for Tarpon Springs

AI-generated illustration. Tabletop planning cards outline two proposed K–8 schools and a deferred decision on Sexton Elementary, beside a pencil and closed notebook. Inspired by the story and Pinellas County.

Pinellas County Schools has revised two parts of its Planning for Progress proposals. In Tarpon Springs, the superintendent now recommends creating two K-8 schools. At Sexton Elementary, the district has put the closure decision on hold. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick presented the updated recommendations at the School Board workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

The board is scheduled to vote Oct. 13 on the closures still moving forward. According to Spectrum Bay News 9, Sexton will not be part of that vote. Zoning changes for affected schools are a separate step for a later meeting, so the Oct. 13 vote is not expected to settle attendance boundaries.

Planning for Progress: what's next

1. Oct. 6, 2026

   Hendrick presents updated recommendations at board workshop

2. Oct. 13, 2026

   Board scheduled to vote on remaining closures; Sexton not included

3. Future meeting

   Zoning changes for affected schools considered separately

Source: baynews9.com; pcsb.org

Tarpon Springs: two K-8 schools proposed

Under Hendrick's revised recommendation, Sunset Hills Elementary would become a neighborhood K-8, and Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary would become a fundamental K-8.

The change followed work by parents from the affected schools, who pushed for an alternative to the district's earlier proposal. Megan Delgado, a Tarpon Springs Fundamental parent, told Bay News 9 that families "worked with Sunset Hills, we worked with Tarpon Middle to come up with an alternative proposal that we felt better fit the needs of our community."

The two K-8 schools remain a recommendation. They would move ahead only if the board approves the plan.

Sexton Elementary: decision delayed

The district is holding off on deciding whether to close Sexton while it keeps reviewing the proposal and meeting with families. Sexton parents had started a petition against the closure and asked why their school was picked when some nearby schools have lower utilization rates.

Sexton parent Sarah Henley told Bay News 9 she was hopeful because "other board members asked the same questions we all have." She added: "We want to know why ours. We want to know a bigger plan." She also said families need "future plans, not just the temporary band-aid."

Being left out of the Oct. 13 vote means Sexton's future is still undecided while the district continues meeting with families.

More closures likely later

According to the district's letter on the plan, the fall recommendations include new K-8, fundamental and technical school pathways, along with repurposing or consolidating underutilized facilities.

Hendrick said the revisions came from listening to feedback. "It's not something you can just lay out a recommendation and vote the next week," he said. He also said more closures will likely be needed in the coming years. Board Chair Caprice Edmond said the choices are "not solely a financial decision" because they affect "students, teachers and community."

Where to look for school details

In its letter on the plan, the district said school-specific recommendation materials, FAQs, video overviews and a proposed zone school locator tool would be posted at www.pcsb.org/progress. Families watching for boundary changes should note that zoning will come before the board at a separate, later meeting.