Pinellas superintendent says board approved closure of two schools amid long-term enrollment decline
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Summary
Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said the school board has voted to close two district schools because of lower birth rates and enrollment; district leaders said they are working with municipalities and community partners on potential reuses, including housing or partnerships.
During the St. Petersburg "listen and learn" session, Superintendent Kevin Hendrick outlined the district's response to declining student numbers and said the board had approved closing two schools.
"We did make the difficult decision to close 2 schools, beginning at the end of the school year across Bayou Elementary School and Distant Academy, again, due to enrollment," Hendrick said, describing the decision as part of a broader effort to right-size facilities as birth rates and enrollment decline.
Hendrick said the district is pursuing reuse strategies for the surplus buildings and has spoken with local officials in Gulfport and Pinellas Park to explore options such as community housing or green space. "We will be looking to either partner or sell those facilities for the best use of the community," he said.
Board members said the district's long-term demographic projections (cited from a University of Florida dataset) show the county will not need current school space over the next several decades, which underpins the shift toward repurposing properties rather than leaving them idle.
District leaders said specific deals or partners had not been finalized and that repurposing decisions will be developed in conversation with local municipalities and community stakeholders.
The superintendent framed the closures as decisions already approved by the board and emphasized continued community engagement on how to convert the properties for public benefit.
