Hillsborough board signs off on multiple boundary changes, approves reassignment of Pizzo K-8 amid rising USF lease costs

The Hillsborough County School Board on March 10 approved first readings of six coordinated boundary and grade-configuration proposals that will take effect in the 2027–28 school year, including the reassignment of students at Pizzo K‑8 after the district said the University of South Florida raised campus rent and related costs.

The board approved the package after staff described the proposals as part of long-range planning to align school capacity with shifting enrollment. Christopher Farkas, the district’s growth‑management lead, told the board the Pizzo reassignment follows the termination of a campus lease that the district estimates would cost roughly $550,000 a year with compounded annual increases and $16.5 million over 10 years in rent, parking and security obligations.

"It’s essential to steward district resources responsibly to ensure the greatest benefit for our students and families," Superintendent Van Ayres said during the presentation.

Why it matters: The changes are part of a district‑wide response to uneven enrollment, aging facilities and rising operating costs; several board members framed the proposals as necessary to preserve instructional programs and staff at other schools. But the measures prompted an extended public reaction — especially at Pizzo, where staff and families urged the board to seek alternative arrangements or more time for community engagement.

Public reaction and staff response: Angela Collenello, a Pizzo employee, told the board she and others feared lumping roughly 200 Pizzo students across multiple receiving schools would increase class sizes and disrupt community ties. "We don't think the plan is ready," she said, asking for renegotiation and an extra year to prepare receiving schools. Board members and staff repeatedly promised more outreach and committed to specifying transition supports — including targeted staffing and transportation plans — before final (second‑reading) votes scheduled for April.

Board action: The board moved each item separately as required by Florida board rules. Votes on the first readings passed; the Pizzo reassignment was approved on first reading but recorded with a dissent from Member Jessica Vaughn, who said she was not satisfied with the outreach and details on supports. Board attorneys and staff noted the move gives the district operational and capital savings by avoiding continued high lease costs at a site it does not own.

What’s next: Staff will publish follow‑up materials and host the second round of hearings in April. The board and staff committed to supplying families with clearer timelines, transportation plans and school‑by‑school transition supports before final decisions are made.

Votes at a glance: The first readings for the six items (7.10–7.15) were approved at the March 10 meeting; the transcript records motions and seconders (for example, the Pizzo motion was made by Member Washington and seconded by Member Rendon) and most items passed unanimously on first reading, with Pizzo receiving one dissent.

Community context: Board members emphasized the district is balancing fiscal stewardship across 235 schools while trying to preserve class‑size protections and targeted services. Several members urged a stronger, targeted marketing and family‑engagement effort to stabilize enrollment in neighborhoods losing students to charter, voucher, or home‑school options.

Ending: The boundary items return to the board for second reading and final votes in April; staff said they will add clarifying details on specific transition staffing, transportation and community‑partner commitments in the interim.