<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4H31Dh_1H1RbxxO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4H31Dh_1H1RbxxO00" width="696" height="464" ></figure>The Pasco County School Board voted 4-1 on Nov. 3 to close and consolidate Fox Hollow Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year, despite objections from parents, staff and community members concerned about transportation, child care and the loss of a neighborhood school.Fox Hollow students will remain at their school for the rest of 2026-27. District staff said the rezoning process will begin in January, with a proposed boundary plan, public workshop, public hearing and a board vote expected by March.The final school assignments have not been set. Under the district’s Elevate 34668 plan (named for the 34668 zip code), Schrader Elementary would receive a STEAM focus, Highlands Exploratory Academy would emphasize career exploration, character education and community connections, and Chasco K-8 would be developed as a more seamless K-8 option.Board member Jessica Wright was the only no vote. She unsuccessfully moved to separate the Fox Hollow closure from the agenda item, which also renames Gulf Highlands Elementary as Highlands Exploratory Academy and relocates West Pasco Education Academy to the former Kousa Elementary campus.“I support relocating West Pasco Education Academy and the proposed changes at Gulf Highlands, but my concern is approving Fox Hollow’s closure before we can understand its anticipated impact,” Wright said.Residents used the public comment period to question the timing and planning behind the closure. “Our children deserve answers before a vote, not after,” parent Samantha Vrbancic told the board. “You don’t close the fire station because there’s no fires this week.”Cheryl Furia, who works in Data Entry at Fox Hollow, warned school staff were already seeking jobs elsewhere.“This is certainly creating instability for both staff and students,” Furia said. Transportation was another central concern for opponents. The district said 352 Fox Hollow students currently walk to school. Staff said all but six school-choice students would be eligible for transportation under anticipated new boundaries, though 84 students could fall within a two-mile non-transportation zone.The district plans to review those cases for hazardous walking conditions. Seventy-one Fox Hollow students currently ride buses, including pre-K and exceptional-student-education students.Supporters of the plan cited declining enrollment and the cost of operating an underused campus. According to the district, Fox Hollow has 417 students in a building designed for 774, leaving 357 available seats.Enrollment is projected to fall to 367 students in 2027-28, leaving 407 seats open. The school is operating at about 54% capacity and is projected to fall to about 47%.The board also heard that 721 students live in the Fox Hollow attendance zone but only 393 attend the school; 328 attend elsewhere.No board member spoke more on the closure than Megan Harding, a former Fox Hollow teacher. She voted in favor but acknowledged the decision was deeply personal and very difficult for her.“This is probably one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make during my eight years serving on this board,” said Harding, who added that she could see the school from her house.Fox Hollow has struggled in terms of academic performance, with the board noting it had not achieved an A or B grade in 14 years, even as the District improved to an A grade last year. However, Board Member Cynthia Armstrong emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on Fox Hollow’s educators or students.“Because there is a limited amount of funds, I don’t want to see our funds going into supporting buildings … when they could be supporting students and giving them more opportunities,” she said.The district said students with individualized special-education services will continue receiving them after a transfer. It also said teachers and staff who want to remain in Pasco County Schools will have placement opportunities.It is not yet clear what the future holds for the property. Staff said Fox Hollow could be leased or sold, and that the district would have to evaluate options.However, Harding was adamant in ruling out one possibility — she insisted the building should not become a charter school.“I couldn’t support closing one of our traditional public neighborhood schools because of declining enrollment and the need to be fiscally responsible only to turn around and potentially allow a charter school to operate in that same building.”All board members were present Nov. 3. The meeting was the last for Armstrong, who was first elected to the board in 2010, and Board Member Al Hernandez, who was first elected in 2022.The next board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17, when newly elected members Kimberly Coward and Matt Geiger will be sworn in.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0sQ8NY_1H1RbxxO00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0sQ8NY_1H1RbxxO00" width="1365" height="767" ><figcaption>Samantha Vrbancic speaks to the school board about the Fox Hollow closure on Nov. 3, 2026 [Credit: Pasco School District]</figcaption></figure></div></body>

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The Pasco County School Board voted 4-1 on Nov. 3 to close and consolidate Fox Hollow Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year, despite objections from parents, staff and community members concerned about transportation, child care and the loss of a neighborhood school. Fox Hollow students will remain at their...

Pasco School Board Votes to Close Fox Hollow Elementary in 2027-28

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The Pasco County School Board voted 4-1 on Nov. 3 to close and consolidate Fox Hollow Elementary School after the 2026-27 school year, despite objections f

Pasco School Board Votes to Close Fox Hollow Elementary in 2027-28

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