Pinellas County School Board approves K–8 conversions, two school closures and charter renewal

The Pinellas County School Board on Feb. 24 voted unanimously on a package of school consolidations and program changes intended to reduce facility costs and align academic pathways.

The board approved combining Bay Point Elementary and Bay Point Middle into a single K–8 on the middle school campus beginning in the 2728 school year, with the district estimating a one-time capital cost of $1,500,000 and $2,800,000 in annual operational savings. Superintendent Hendrick said the elementary campus currently operates at about 47% utilization and that the consolidation aligns science and technology magnet programs to the Lakewood High Center for Advanced Technologies.

The board also approved expanding Oldsmar Elementary into a K–8, phasing in grade 6 in 2627 and reaching grade 8 in 2829. Oldsmar’s reported utilization is 57%; district staff said minor capital improvements would cost less than $500,000 and that no net new operating costs are anticipated, only reallocation within the existing budget.

Separately, trustees approved creating a North County employee childcare center at McMullen Booth Elementary to serve infants through age 3 beginning in 2627. District officials estimated a one-time capital cost of about $700,000 and said the…