Pasco board approves consolidation of Pasco Elementary and Pasco Middle into Pasco K‑8; Lecucci offered K‑8 choice

The Pasco County School Board voted unanimously to consolidate Pasco Elementary School and Pasco Middle School into a single Pasco K‑8 campus and to convert Lecucci Elementary School into an optional Lecucci K‑8 program. The board approved the measure under agenda item 16.1 after a discussion of academic continuity and community benefits and a motion moved by Mrs. Harding and seconded by Mr. Hernandez.

Supporters told the board the K‑8 model can reduce transitional learning loss and allow teachers to align instruction across more grades. One board member described the change as an ‘‘academic investment’’ that preserves community culture while extending consistent expectations from kindergarten through eighth grade. Deputy district staff said a rezoning process would be kicked off if the consolidation is approved; they clarified that the current Pasco Elementary and Pasco Middle boundaries are proposed as the initial zones for the consolidated K‑8, and that families zoned to Lecucci would not be rezoned away from Pasco Middle but instead could choose to enroll at the new Lecucci K‑8 if they apply.

Officials emphasized transportation commitments: students who choose to remain at Pasco Middle or who are enrolled in programs such as Cambridge would continue to receive transportation to those zoned schools. The board chair called the vote immediately after discussion; the motion passed with the board chair recording ‘‘Aye’’ responses and stating the motion carries and that the vote was unanimous.

Next steps include formal rezoning procedures for the consolidated Pasco K‑8 (staff said a first reading and public process would follow) and outreach to families in the Lecucci zone about the choice opportunity. The board did not set a timeline for implementation in the motion; staff will bring rule and boundary proposals forward during the district’s rezoning rule‑development process.