The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Breast cancer survivor recognized at Bucs game 

By

Andrea Badaan was on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pirate ship waving to the crowd Sept. 29 as she received special recognition for her work helping to support others in her community. Photo courtesy of AdventHealth

TAMPA – Andrea Badaan, a Wesley Chapel woman who has beaten breast cancer, was recognized Sept. 29 during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers game as the AdventHealth Goal Getter.

Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2022. She received treatment and support at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Now that she is cancer free, she participates in awareness events in her community and supports others who are going through treatment for breast cancer.

Andrea said the experience has made her stronger. The support she received during treatment at AdventHealth inspired her to help others.

“The medical staff and professionals are awesome.” Andrea said. “They are so dedicated and passionate and by getting help, I’m helping others, just by sharing my story.”

 

School superintendent  proud of district’s hurricane response

By

Kurt Browning

LAND O’ LAKES – Superintendent Kurt Browning said he was proud of how Pasco County Schools opened and staffed five shelters in anticipation of Hurricane Helene. 

Shelters were at Centennial Middle (Dade City); Fivay High (Hudson); Wiregrass Ranch High (Wesley Chapel); River Ridge middle and high (New Port Richey); and Sunlake High (Land O’ Lakes).

“The superintendent’s immediate staff just coalesced so quickly to address all the needs from finances to staffing of shelters to payroll to damage control, mitigation, employee care, battening down schools,” Browning said during the Oct. 1 school board meeting. “I can’t thank them enough for what they did, and it just wasn’t between the hours of 8 and 5.”

Browning said the district is assessing employees that have been adversely impacted by the storm. 

“We do have several principals and also one of our assistant superintendents who were impacted by the storm and they’ve all been continuing to do their work as well as trying to keep their lives in order and support their staff who were also affected,” said Tom Barker, assistant superintendent for elementary schools. “I echo the sentiment that we have amazing staff in this county.“

Jeff Larsen, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, said the response to Hurricane Helene demonstrated how district staff are heroes.

Larsen said many district employees left work on Wednesday to assist members of the community staying at shelters. And several have been helping with hurricane recovery.

“On Monday, many of these impacted people paused their own recovery efforts to come to work,” Larsen said. “I know of teachers and (school-related personnel) that lost everything due to flooding and they still came to work on Monday.”

One teacher told Larsen, “I just wanted my students to be able to feel normal.“

 

Pasco County Schools is here to support you

By

Colleen Beaudoin

I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the catastrophic loss that some of our families, employees and community members suffered last week due to Hurricane Helene. 

We know you are hurting, and we will do what we can to support you. 

Thank you to all our employees, our community partners, our first responders for your efforts to keep our Pasco residents safe during the storm, and for all the help cleaning up and coming to aid all of our residents in the aftermath.

We had our employees away from their own families working in shelters and evaluating damages to our sites.

I want to thank the superintendent and his staff for keeping the board informed throughout the weekend. 

This storm was devastating to our community and across several states as we know 

I know we are all feeling the impacts and are concerned about everyone’s well-being. 

As we get back to business today, let’s keep our students and our employees as well as all our Pasco residents at the forefront of our decisions – all the decisions we make as we always do. 

Colleen Beaudoin, a District 2 representative, on the Pasco County Schools Board of Education, gave these remarks Oct. 1 during the school board meeting. 

Renczkowski has watched Pasco County region grow over 30 years

By

Suzanne Renczkowski

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners recently recognized Suzanne Renczkowski for having worked for Pasco Economic Development Council for 30 years.

She is currently Pasco EDC’s director of operations.

The Pasco County Committee of 100 originally hired her on July 18, 1994. Its name officially changed to Pasco Economic Development Council on Oct. 1, 1998.

Pasco EDC is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of Pasco County through the development of a sustainable and diversified economy.  

Renczkowski, who is now 63, said she plans to work for Pasco EDC for two more years until she reaches the magic age of 65 when she will qualify for Medicare.

She added that her husband of 43 years, John Renczkowski, has already retired.

“Suzanne Renczkowski has been devoted to the Pasco Economic Development Council and its mission and vision for 30 years, demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to enhancing the professional landscape of Pasco County since beginning her career with them in 1994,” said part of the resolution the board adopted in August to recognize her accomplishments.

“Oh, gosh, no!” she said when asked if she had anticipated working for Pasco EDC for three decades. 

“It’s worked out well with me and my family. I like to work Monday through Friday and to have a very stable work environment,” Renczkowski said. 

Her job there has been very satisfying, said Renczkowski, who works in a significant support role for the organization.

“This job’s never boring because it’s always changing,” she said. That’s because of how Pasco County has continued to grow over the years, even during 2009 when the national economy took a downturn, she added.

As director of operations she is responsible for, among other things, serving as executive assistant to Bill Cronin, who has been Pasco EDC’s president/CEO since Jan. 19, 2016. She also assisted two other former chief executives – John Hagen, who led Pasco EDC from January 2010 to October 2015; and Mary Jane Stanley, who headed up Pasco EDC – and its predecessor the Pasco County Committee of 100 – from 1994 to June 30, 2009. 

Some of Renczkowski’s other duties include handling the organization’s payroll, accounts payable and receivable, and playing a pivotal role in the planning and execution of all major events for Pasco EDC, including the Annual Awards, NetFest and the Holiday Social.

She’s not quite as heavily involved in as many of those major roles now because Pasco EDC currently has a staff of 14 people, she said. This is a lot more employees than were working for the Committee of 100 when she started there in 1994, she added.

Although much of her work has been done “behind the scenes,” as she described it, Renczkowski said she’s thrilled about the number of things her employer has been able to accomplish during the time she has worked for them.

Some of her coworkers refer to her as the “office psychologist,” Renczkowski said with a chuckle. She explained that is because they come to her for help when they have questions or concerns. She’s able to help them, she said, because she knows a lot of the history of both Pasco EDC and Pasco County. 

The board’s resolution also gave Renczkowski credit for having “served as a mentor to many team members over the years.”

She has a solid background in business because she is a graduate of Taylor Business Institute, based in New Jersey. Renczkowski was one of its students during 1980 while she had worked for eye surgeon Dr. John Norris as he was developing cataract surgery with Dr. Gills. And she also took business courses at Saint Leo University in 1993 while working there as its public affairs coordinator, part of the board’s resolution said.

“Suzanne’s commitment to the betterment of Pasco County throughout her extensive career has not only bolstered economic development in Pasco County but has been an inspiration to many and has shown true passion for her community,” the board’s resolution said. 

 

Hurricane recovery efforts are underway in Pasco County

By

Thousands of Pasco County residents and an unknown number of business owners have begun what will be a lengthy process for many to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene.

The powerful Category 4 hurricane passed alongside the county’s west side in the early evening hours of Friday, Sept. 27, before it made landfall later that day on Florida’s Big Bend area.

Both of the unincorporated areas of Hudson and Holiday sustained widespread damage from storm surges of four- to five-feet accompanied by heavy rainfall as Hurricane Helene passed by on her way northward.

Pasco Information Office spokespeople reported that damage assessments had been made at more than 10,000 locations throughout the county as of Monday, Sept. 30. It was also reported that this number was subject to change, as damage assessment teams would continue to make countywide inspections.

It was also advised that using the Pasco County online reporting tool – mypas.co/ReportDamage – would be the fastest way to report storm damage to homes and businesses and to get help and schedule assessments with Pasco County. “This was a major hurricane with incredible impact to life and property across our state. We stand united as Floridians and are ready to help our neighbors in need. We are about to see the best of Florida,” state Sen. Danny Burgess said Sept. 27 in a widely distributed email message.

Burgess, who is a Republican who represents District 23 in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, also said that he wanted to “salute those who helped our community 

get through this storm: our emergency responders, linemen, those who work in our Emergency Operations Centers, and everyone else who kept us safe. You have made us all proud.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a recent press conference in the Hudson area that hundreds of travel trailers were available throughout the state which residents could stay in for between six and 18 months while they repair or rebuild their homes. DeSantis added that officials are working to provide more travel trailers.

The State of Florida and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are providing the travel trailers.

Residents can apply for a travel trailer by calling the Florida Hope Line at 1-833-GET-HOPE. The Hope Line directs those affected by the storm to the resources they need to recover, according to DeSantis.

Residents who experienced damages/losses due to Hurricane Helene can apply for financial help at disasterassistance.gov.

DeSantis also said while he was in Hudson that it was anticipated that power would soon be available to most Pasco County customers who had experienced outages. However, it is necessary, county officials said, to have homes inspected by electricians before the power is turned back on. This is because of the danger caused by salt water having flooded many of those homes.

Thirty-five fires were reported as a result of storm surges from Hurricane Helene entering residences and shorting out the electrical systems, according to PIO.

Pasco County opened three Comfort Stations on the county’s western side on Sept. 30 that will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. according to PIO. 

They are located at the Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, in Hudson; the J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, 2830 Gulf Trace Blvd., in Holiday; and Aripeka Baptist Church, 18731 Aripeka Road, in Aripeka. 

Food and supplies are available at the locations in Hudson and Holiday while supplies last.

All three of the stations have air conditioning, restrooms, charging stations and showers and laundry. People need to bring their own supplies for the showers and laundry.

The purpose of the Comfort Stations is to provide essentials to Hurricane Helene victims, according to PIO. 

The City of New Port Richey also has a Comfort Station located at the New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, 6630 Van Buren St., New Port Richey. It will also be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. “until further notice.”

Pasco County has begun picking up storm debris in affected neighborhoods.

All storm debris should be separated, whether it is taken to a drop off site or left at the curb. The drop-off site is located at the West Pasco Resource Recovery Center, 14606 Hays Road, Spring Hill.

Yard debris (branches, leaves, etc.) should not be mixed with home debris (mattresses, chairs, couches, etc.) or with household garbage.

Refrigerators and freezers must be emptied and the doors must either be secured or removed.

Only residential storm debris is eligible for free disposal. Commercial debris will not be accepted.

Both the West Pasco Resource Recovery Center and the East Pasco Transfer Station located at 9626 Handcart Road in Dade City will be open for regular garbage drop-off.

Visiting pascocountyfl.net for more information about Hurricane Helene’s impact on Pasco County and what recovery resources are available.

Hillsborough County’s Community Investment Tax is on the ballot

By

This map, which is available at https://hcfl.gov/CIT, shows projects supported by the Community Investment Tax since 1996.

CIT funds roads, fire stations, stormwater enhancements, and other capital improvement projects throughout Hillsborough County.

The Community Investment Tax, a half-percent sales surtax that funds major infrastructure projects in Hillsborough County and the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, as well as Hillsborough County Public Schools, is on the ballot this November. 

Initially approved by Hillsborough County voters in September 1996 for a period of 30 years, the tax expires Nov. 30, 2026. Since gaining voter approval, the revenue generated by the tax has funded or partially funded more than 780 projects throughout the community.

 

CIT projects from 1996 to present

Over the past 28 years, CIT has provided about $2.77 billion to fund or partially fund 784 capital improvement projects. 

Many of the CIT-funded projects residents pass by or visit regularly – checking out a book at the local library, visiting a park, attending a local public school or driving down a county-owned road. 

Other projects funded by the CIT surtax are not as visible and include projects such as culvert replacement throughout the county to improve water drainage, replacement of the bridges along Florida State Road 39 at the Alafia and Little Manatee Rivers, and the installation of pipes to transport drinking water in Wimauma. 

Some CIT funding also goes to projects at major community facilities, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, Raymond James Stadium and the Tampa Bay History Museum.

For a full list of projects funded by the CIT from 1996 to present, view this map.

 

Proposed CIT projects for 2026-2041

If approved by voters in November, the CIT will continue to fund much-needed capital improvement projects and capital equipment across the community. Among these projects are the building of nine new fire stations, road repaving, sidewalk repairs, enhancing additional transportation and stormwater infrastructure, new schools and general public safety investments.

 

Hillsborough County Project Lists  

Transportation & Public Works – $1.34 billion

  • 16% – Intersection safety and mobility.
  • 16% – Lithia Pinecrest Road congestion relief.
  • 15% – Bridge repairs and replacements.
  • 13% – Repaving and pavement preservation.
  • 11% – Sidewalk repairs.
  • 9% – Traffic signals replacements and upgrades.
  • 8% – Pedestrian safety and mobility.
  • 7% – Van Dyke Road congestion relief.
  • 5% – Multi-use trails and boardwalks.
  • Trails: (Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve, Sydney-Dover Trails, Flatwoods Park, Fishhawk Preserve, Northwest Equestrian Park, Tampa Bypass Canal, South Coast Greenway Trail, Kirby Canal Trail, Memorial Bikeway and Wimauma Connector Trail.
  • Boardwalks: – Brooker Creek Headwaters Preserve, Alderman’s Ford Park, Cypress Creek Preserve, Rhodine Scrub Preserve, Stephen J. Wortham Park Connection, Little Manatee River Preserve and Alafia Scrub Preserve.

 

Public Facilities – $597 million

  • 91% – Community facilities (pet resources shelter, community facilities, Sulphur Springs grocer infrastructure, tournament sports facilities, Steinbrenner Field capital maintenance/repair, Amalie Arena capital maintenance/repair and Raymond James Stadium capital maintenance/repair).
  • 9% – Parks and conservation (synthetic turf field projects, shade sails over playgrounds: covered basketball courts and Collins/Panther Trace Park improvements).

 

Public Safety – $487 million

  • 35% – Fire rescue (nine new fire stations, vehicles and equipment).
  • 34% – Sheriff’s office (jail expansion and improvements, vehicles and equipment, training center improvements, and equipment and facility improvements).
  • 31% – Courts (land acquisition for future expansion, courtroom expansions, downtown chiller expansion, Twiggs Parking Garage and new downtown courthouse).

 

Public Utilities – $180 million

  • 56% – Stormwater infrastructure (Town and Country regional improvements. stormwater culvert renewal and replacement, stormwater pump station renewal and replacement, drainage improvements and stormwater quality improvements).
  • 44% – Septic-to-sewer conversions (Gibsonton phases 3 and 4, Ruskin/Wimauma area and Palm River phases 1 and 2).

 

Hillsborough County Public Schools – $188 million

  • New elementary school and middle school in Wimauma, elementary school near Apollo Beach and future school builds. 

 

City of Plant City – Not specified

  • Community center, Fire Station No. 4, Fire Station No. 5, law enforcement equipment & facilities, transportation infrastructure (intersection safety, multi-use trails and corridor congestion relief), parks and recreation improvements.

 

City of Tampa – $783 million

  • $191 million – Sidewalk repairs, repaving and pavement preservation, bridge repairs and replacement, traffic signals replacements and upgrades, intersection safety and mobility, pedestrian safety and mobility, corridor congestion relief and multi-use trails.
  • $339 million – Vehicles/equipment and facilities.
  • $253 million – Public facilities (capital maintenance/repair of Raymond James Stadium and Amalie Arena) and parks and conservation. 

 

City of Temple Terrace – $54 million

  • Public safety building, Fire Station No. 3 training tower building, police vehicles and equipment, fire apparatus/vehicles and equipment, new park construction and improvements to general government facilities, library, parks and recreation facilities.

 

Want to learn more?

Visit HCFL.gov/CIT for more information about CIT, including the history of the tax, surtax performance audit, Nov. 5 ballot language and funds distribution details.

 

This article was provided by Hillsborough County.

BBB offers tips to avoid boss scams

By

You may be used to getting text messages and emails from your boss, which is why a recent texting scam is so effective. Scammers find out where you work and pose as the CEO or other executive. Be on guard and don’t share money or information – be it your own or your company’s.

 

How the scam works

You receive a text from a number you don’t recognize, claiming to be from your boss. The sender knows your name, where you work and your boss’s name. It seems so real. The text message might read something like this: “Hi Chris, I’m tied up in a conference call right now but let me know if you get this text. Thanks [your boss’ name].”

In a recent BBB Scam Tracker report, a consumer shared this experience, “Text message posing as my boss, stuck in a meeting. Wanted me to get giftcards. Also texted people I know, posing as my boss as if they were texting me.”

If you reply that you received the text, you’ll be asked to do a quick task. This could be purchasing gift cards for a client or wiring funds to another business. In some cases, the scammer may ask you to send personal information to someone, often giving you a plausible reason to carry out the request.

In another BBB Scam Tracker report, a victim reported losing over $1,000 in a gift card scam. “The scammer contacted me impersonating my boss telling me he needed an urgent task completed. He told me it needed to be a secret because he wanted to surprise employees for a good job last month with gift cards. He asked me to go to the nearest store and get 5 gift cards he asked for apple and eBay cards but they did not have that so he told me to get 5 vanilla visa gift cards and load $200 on each card. He said I would get reimbursed before the end of the day. I bought the cards using my personal money and was asked to send pictures of the receipt. I did that and then he asked me to send the front and back of the cards and I for some reason did that too. I only realized after contacting my boss that this was a scam. I was able to contact vanilla and put a hold on the cards before any funds were used. However, now the funds are frozen and in a gift card and I don’t have access to the money for a possibly unknown amount of time. The scammer played to my need to be a good employee and it worked.”\

No matter how believable the reason sounds, always double-check before taking any action. Once you send the money, gift cards, or information, it will be in the hands of a con artist.

 

How to protect yourself from impostor scams

  • Don’t trust unsolicited messages from unfamiliar numbers. If your boss regularly communicates with you via text message, save their number in your contact list. Don’t respond to potential impersonators reaching out from a different number.
  • Be wary of unusual requests. If your boss has never asked you to buy gift cards, even if the request comes from a number you’ve saved, think twice. Scammers can potentially clone phone numbers and might have hijacked your boss’ number to target employees.
  • Double-check with your boss personally. If a request comes from a strange number or just doesn’t sound right, call or email your boss first, using their real contact information, rather than replying to the message. It’s better to double-check than to rush into a scam. Plus, your boss will want to know if they are being impersonated, so they can warn their other employees.
  • If you suspect a scam, don’t reply. If you’re fairly certain you’ve been contacted by a scammer, don’t reply to the text message. Replying lets scammers know they have an active phone number and could leave you vulnerable to future attacks. Instead, block the number and delete the message.

 

Larger subdivision planned for Spring Hill

By

This map shows the location of a Master Planned Unit Development proposed for 770 units. Photo courtesy of Pasco County

NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco County Planning Commission tentatively approved 70 additional residences being built in a subdivision near Spring Hill.

Planning commission members voted at their Sept. 19 meeting in New Port Richey to recommend that the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners approve the zoning amendment requested by Northridge 829, LLC.

Northridge wants to be able to increase the number of residential units in their Master Planned Unit Development from 700 units to 770 units (detached and villas).

The Master Planned Unit Development is located on 178.15 acres in northwest Pasco County and is south of and abutting County Line Road North and is 1.25 miles northwest of the Suncoast Parkway.

County commissioners have the final authority on the requested zoning amendment because the planning commission only acts in an advisory capacity regarding such requests.

The applicant requested in 2022 that its Master Planned Unit Development could contain 770 residential units and 40,000 square feet of non-residential entitlements. Commissioners requested instead at a July 12, 2022, meeting that more non-residential square footage should be contained within the Master Planned Unit Development. The applicant agreed to reduce the residential units by 70 so there could be an additional 20,000 square feet of non-residential entitlements.

This resulted in their Master Planned Unit Development being approved for 700 residential units and 60,000 square feet of non-residential entitlements.

Northridge has submitted an updated traffic study as part of its current request for the zoning amendment. That traffic study indicated all road segments are anticipated to operate at or above the service standards based on the project build-out year, which is assumed to be by 2034. However, the build-out date of the project is subject to change according to the traffic study provided by Raysor Traffic Consulting.

Michael Raysor, of Raysor Traffic Consulting, said a traffic signal would be installed as part of the project.

In other business on Sept. 19, the planning commission:

  • Recommended commissioners approve a rezoning request by Anodyne 54 LLC. The applicant is seeking to have the current zoning of 1.31 acres in southeast Pasco County changed from C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District to C-2 General Commercial District. The property is located on the northwest corner of the intersection of S.R. 54 and Point Cypress Boulevard. Anodyne 54 LLC proposes to develop the property with a Sherwin-Williams paint store and a drive-through restaurant/café.
  • Recommended commissioners approve a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment requested by Diagonal Road Business Park. The applicant is seeking to have the Future Land Use Map amended for 16.84 acres at the southeast corner of the intersection of Diagonal Road and New York Avenue. The current Future Land Use Map classification is Retail/Office/Residential and the request is to change it to Industrial-Light. The Planning, Development and Economic Department determined the proposed amendment to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Recommended commissioners approve a small-scale comprehensive plan amendment requested by Massachusetts Commercial. The applicant is seeking to have the Future Land Use Map amended for 3.05 acres south of Massachusetts Avenue, approximately 1,300 feet west of the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Rowan Road. The current Future Land Use Map classification is RES-12 (Residential) and the request is to change it to allow for commercial and office uses. If this request is approved by the commissioners during their Oct. 22 meeting the applicant will be entitled to add up to 79,714 square feet of commercial uses to the area. The amendment will also discourage urban sprawl if it is approved, according to county records. The Planning, Development and Economic Department determined the proposed amendment to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Approved a special exception requested by Lake Thomas Plaza LLC for a Self-Storage Facility in a C-1 Neighborhood Commercial District in south central Pasco County. The site, which is undeveloped, contains 2.1887 acres. It is located on the west side of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. 41), approximately 185 feet south of Darter Road. Access to the property is from Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The planning commission has the authority to grant requests for special exceptions.

 

Sheriff’s offices rescue residents from Hurricane Helene flooding

By

Hurricane Helene made landfall Sept. 26 in Florida, prompting first responders in Pasco and Hillsborough counties to receive several calls for service overnight.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office reported around 6 a.m. Sept. 27 that it had rescued about 200 people from flood waters with Pasco County Fire Rescue, the National Guard and other law enforcement agencies. The sheriff’s office had received more than 20 water rescue calls on Sept. 26 and that number ballooned to more than 100 by 3:41 a.m. Sept. 27.

Hillsborough County deputies were also busy. The sheriff’s office posted videos to Facebook of a deputy rescuing a teenage girl that tried driving through a flooded Racetrack Road as well as a 97-year-old lady that needed to be evacuated from her home. 

Gov. Ron DeSantis said late night Sept. 26 that the state had personnel standing by for search and rescue operations, road clearing, power restoration and disaster supplies.

DeSantis reported one traffic fatality from the storm, resulting from a sign falling onto Interstate  4 in Tampa. 

It wasn’t clear the total impact of the hurricane by the Laker-Lutz News’ print deadline on Sept. 27.

“This is a big storm,” DeSantis said Sept. 26. “It’s a powerful Category 4 storm but it’s also just very large. Impacts are being felt, have been felt and will continue to be felt far and wide. When Floridians wake up tomorrow morning, we’re going to be waking up to a state where very likely there’s been additional loss of life and certainly there’s going to be loss of property. You’re going to have people who are going to lose their homes because of this storm. Please keep those folks in mind – keep them in your prayers.”

Pasco and Hillsborough counties issued mandatory evacuations Sept. 25 for residents in Evacuation Zone A as well as anyone living in manufactured and mobile homes.

Each county used schools as emergency shelters to take in families. 

As the storm passed, DeSantis and other state emergency personnel encouraged residents to continue to hunker down overnight.

“Do not do dangerous things after the disaster,” said Kevin Guthrie, executive director for the Florida Division of Emergency Management. “If you need help, we’ll send you the help. If you need help, your local county emergency management agency will send you the help.”

 

PCS closing three schools to create Chasco K-8 

By

This slide from a Sept. 10 school board presentation shows enrollment over time at three schools that Pasco County Schools is closing.

Plans are in the works to open Chasco K-8 School in New Port Richey next fall following a Sept. 10 vote by the District School Board of Pasco County.

The board unanimously approved closing Calusa Elementary, Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle schools at the end of the current school year. This will enable the new K-8 school to open on the existing campus of Chasco elementary and middle schools in September 2025.

School district staff requested the closure of these three schools because of steadily decreasing enrollments at Calusa Elementary and Chasco Middle. 

Calusa is operating at 65% capacity with 429 students. Chasco Middle is operating at 73% capacity with 614 students. 

Wyatt Grinage, whose daughter attends Calusa, expressed concerns over whether the proposed K-8 school will have enough space to accommodate all the students who will be coming from Calusa.

The combined square footage of Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle is 238,612 while Calusa Elementary has 75,000 square feet, Assistant Superintendent Betsy Kuhn said. There already is enough space at the Chasco campus to accommodate 254 more students than are currently attending there, Kuhn said. 

Minimal modifications and reconfigurations that can be made to the two buildings on the Chasco campus will provide more than enough space to accommodate the 1,600 students currently attending all three of the schools, Kuhn said.

That necessary work will include, among other things, converting a media center in one of the buildings on the Chasco campus into four classrooms, Kuhn said.

This work will occur during the summer of 2025 so it won’t have an impact with students’ learning, according to Corey Dierdorff, the district’s public information officer.

One of the advantages of the consolidation expressed by Kuhn included a minimal transportation impact because Calusa Elementary, which will be permanently closed, is only 1.4 miles from the campus where Chasco K-8 is going to be located. The schools are all in the same community according to Kuhn.

Other advantages include the stability of students being in the same school for nine years and the minimization of a negative impact with the transition to middle school, according to a presentation made by Kuhn.

Board member Al Hernandez agreed with Kuhn that consolidating the three schools would use the district’s financial resources more efficiently. 

“Closing a school is never fun,” Hernandez said. “This is not a take-away. It is enhancing the community.”

Kuhn also tried to alleviate concerns that had been expressed about children being able to walk safely to Chasco K-8 after it opens next year. There are currently five crossing guards assigned to Chasco Elementary, and a traffic control officer and two crossing guards are assigned to Calusa Elementary. Discussions will be held with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office next year to have the crossing guards currently at Calusa to be reassigned to Chasco K-8, Kuhn said.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said during the Sept. 10 meeting that parents who would be affected by the closure of the three schools would be notified the next day.

A public workshop focused on the closure of Calusa Elementary, Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle and the reopening of those three schools as Chasco K-8 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Oct. 1 in the gymnasium at Chasco Middle School, according to the district’s website. A proposed boundary map for the K-8 School will be displayed and staff will be available to answer questions. 

Also, a public hearing on the boundary proposal will be held during the Oct. 15 school board meeting at 6 p.m. at the district office complex in Land O’ Lakes. 

The final vote on the boundary proposal will be held during the board’s Nov. 5 meeting at 9:30 a.m. at the district’s office complex, according to the district’s website.

Plans are also in the works for teachers currently assigned to Calusa Elementary to follow their students when they go to Chasco K-8, Kuhn said.

Acting on this so early in the current school year will give parents opportunities to explore other options regarding where their children could attend school within the district if they didn’t want them to go to Chasco K-8 next year, Kuhn said.