Pinellas County school officials have begun a series of public meetings to gather community input on addressing declining enrollment that has left the district with approximately 45,000 empty seats.

The district held the first of five town hall meetings on November 12 at Boca Ciega High School, where about 30 residents attended. Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Dull presented the district’s challenges and outlined possible solutions.

The enrollment situation has created an imbalance, with some schools filled beyond capacity while others operate at or below 50% capacity.

Options under consideration include closing or merging schools, repurposing buildings for different uses, or partnering with outside organizations. The situation is complicated by the state’s Schools of Hope law, which allows certain charter schools to claim unused space in public schools. At least one charter operator has expressed interest in more than a dozen Pinellas schools.

Attendees at the meeting, including parents, staff, and students, shared their concerns by writing suggestions on posters that will inform district recommendations.

Steve White, a vice president in the countywide PTA, acknowledged the difficulty ahead. Parent Amy Miller raised questions about fairness in school choice as campuses close, while Jay Shull, another parent, expressed concerns about maintaining equal services across schools of different sizes.

Additional town hall meetings are scheduled for December 2 at Dunedin High School, December 4 at Hollins High School, and December 9 at Lakewood High School. Staff will present recommendations for the 2026-27 school year to the school board in January, with a second round of proposals for 2027-28 expected next fall.

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