From Boom to Bust

The struggle to "right-size" our schools

September 07, 2025

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Pasco’s Plan for Empty Hallways

Underenrolled schools have been all over the news this week, especially in Hillsborough County. But Pasco is not immune to the school shuffle.

A proposal is on the table to merge Gulfside Elementary and Paul R. Smith Middle in Holiday into a single K-8 on the Paul R. Smith campus by fall 2026. After two weeks of classes, both schools were under 65% capacity; combined enrollment would use about 90% of Paul R. Smith’s seats. Two under-enrolled schools into one that is nearly at capacity.

Attendance zones would not be redrawn, so other schools are not expected to be affected; the future of the Gulfside building is undecided. District leaders cite declining enrollment in west Pasco, with growth centered in Odessa, Trinity, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills, and point to a similar Calusa–Chasco consolidation that opened this fall.

These types of shakeups are happening across the state, while some areas are experiencing a mad dash to build more schools. It really is a tale of two cities. Let us know your experience. Which city are you living in? Send us an email to [email protected]

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