The Pasco County School Board unanimously declined a request from the City of New Port Richey to postpone the scheduled Oct. 22 closing on the Schwetman Education Center, voting to require the sale to proceed as written in the district’s contract.

Board attorney Meeker told the board the city asked on short notice to extend the closing to Nov. 20, 2025 to continue property inspections. “They’re requesting that we push back the closing date until 11/20/2025,” Meeker said, adding the contract’s initial 30‑day due diligence period had expired on Aug. 22 but that the agreement allows inspections up to closing.

The board debated two motions. A proposed motion to move the closing date to Nov. 20 failed to receive a second. Board Member Harding then moved that the district not extend the closing and proceed with the scheduled Oct. 22 date; Board Member Wright seconded the motion. The board voted in favor, and the motion carried unanimously.

Meeker told the board that the district’s title company had prepared documents and that district staff had already signed them. “I pre‑signed the documents… I pre‑signed them on Friday,” Meeker said, noting the buyer had had the drafted paperwork in advance of the scheduled closing.

Multiple board members voiced frustration with the timing of the extension request. “This has been very long and drawn out, and a request the day before closing does not exactly demonstrate good faith,” Board Member Harding said during discussion. Other board members said the district had worked to make the sale happen and that the city had had sufficient time to complete inspections during the contract period.

Meeker also told the board the contract provides that if the buyer elects not to close after the due‑diligence window, the buyer would forfeit the deposit held under the agreement. Meeker described that deposit as $25,000, and he said the contract allowed the district to retain those funds if the buyer defaulted instead of closing.

The board’s decision means the closing remains set for Oct. 22 under the current purchase agreement unless the buyer voluntarily defaults or the parties mutually agree otherwise. The City of New Port Richey had requested the extension to continue inspections, according to the district’s presentation to the board.

The board accepted the off‑agenda request to consider the item earlier in the meeting, then resolved the matter under agenda item 16.1. Attorney Meeker and district staff answered board questions about the contract timeline, inspection rights and the consequences of a buyer default.

Next steps: the contract closing remains scheduled for Oct. 22, and the district advised the board that title documents had been prepared and signed by district representatives.