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Parents press board on K–8 expansions and growth as district buys 25 acres for future school site
Summary
Parents urged the Hillsborough board to expand Dobie Elementary to K–8, warned Pizzo K–8 families about proposed moves, and the board approved purchase of a 25‑acre site tied to expected development even as members warned reduced county funding will make new builds more expensive.
Parents and community advocates filled public comment May 5 to press the Hillsborough County School Board on school siting decisions, including calls to expand Dobie Elementary to a K–8 and requests to preserve the Pizzo K–8 community.
Multiple speakers described a perceived gap between district communications and families' expectations and urged greater transparency. "When voters commit to invest, the district is gonna commit to clear communication," community advocate Gianni Hunt said during public comment, calling for accountability tied to any referendum funding that may be sought.
Several Dobie families described capacity and enrollment data showing many zoned students attend other schools; one presenter said Eisenhower Middle School has capacity for about 1,500 students but currently enrolls roughly 1,100, leaving more than 200 seats even with projected growth (public comment summarized by a Dobie parent at SEG 858—861). Speakers argued a K–8 option could keep families in district schools rather than moving to charters or other alternatives.
Speakers representing Pizzo K–8 urged the board not to dismantle the school community. Students and teachers from Pizzo told the board that dispersing their school community to fill seats elsewhere risks handing entire school communities to charter operators, and urged the board to seek alternatives.
At the same meeting the board approved a resolution to purchase a developer‑dedicated 25‑acre site in southeast county for a future school. Deputy Superintendent Chris Farkas said the district's appraisal set fair market value at $5,000,000 for the parcel; board members cautioned that a reduction in the county's Community Investment Tax has constrained available local capital and will make future school construction more challenging.
Member Rendon, representing an area with rapid growth, asked staff to reconsider timelines for planned Plant City builds and urged moving up construction timetables to address overcrowding in that community.
The land purchase motion passed unanimously. Staff said the parcel is part of an approved neighborhood expected to include thousands of homes, and acquiring the site is a step toward ensuring a school can be built when funding is available.
