Proposal and Decision Process

1. Has the Pasco County School Board decided to close Fox Hollow Elementary?

District staff have recommended consolidation and closure at the end of the 2026-2027 school year, with proposed rezoning to one of the three following schools: Schrader Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary and Chasco K8, subject to the rezoning process that will begin in early 2027. This consolidation and closure recommendation is subject to a School Board vote planned for November 3, 2026.

2. Why is the district considering closure?

The district is responding to sustained enrollment declines and available capacity at nearby schools. The aim is to use facilities and resources responsibly while maintaining educational opportunities for students. Please see question 3 below for additional information.

3. How does the school consolidation benefit students and families?

The proposed school consolidation would provide students and families with access to three elevated learning environments. Consolidating schools allows the district to use existing resources more efficiently, creating opportunities to strengthen instructional programs, expand learning experiences, and direct resources toward student needs. If the Fox Hollow Elementary School consolidation is approved by the board on November 3rd, rezoning will begin in January 2027 to consider enrollment at one of the following three schools:

• Schrader Elementary: The proposal is to add STEAM as a focus to Schrader in 27-28. A STEAM-focused learning environment emphasizes science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics through hands-on experiences, computer science, creative problem-solving, and innovative learning opportunities.
• Gulf Highlands Elementary (Proposed Highlands Exploratory Academy): The proposal is to support Highlands Exploratory Academy as a unique educational model centered on Career, Character, and Community, integrating career exploration, real-world learning experiences, character development, and community partnerships into daily instruction.
• Chasco K8: A comprehensive K8 experience offering continuity from elementary through middle school, fewer school transitions, opportunities for acceleration, and the development of lasting relationships with teachers and peers. Chasco K8 is structured as a Community School. Priority rezoning would consider students who are presently entering Chasco K8 in middle school.

Ultimately, the goal is to provide students with high-quality educational experiences that prepare them for continued academic success while creating meaningful opportunities to explore their interests, develop their strengths, and reach their full potential.

4. Will anything change for my child during the 2026-2027 school year?

Fox Hollow will continue normal operations through the 2026-2027 school year. If closure is approved, student reassignment would take effect for 2027-2028.

5. When and how will final attendance boundaries be decided?

A community boundary workshop would be held in January, followed by a public hearing in February and final School Board action in early March.

School Assignment and Learning Opportunities

6. Where might Fox Hollow students attend school in 2027-2028?

The three schools being considered as potential receiving schools are Schrader Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary, and Chasco K8. No individual student assignment can be confirmed until the attendance boundary process is completed.

7. Can families select which of these three schools to attend?

Students would be assigned according to the adopted attendance zone boundaries, subject to applicable district choice and placement processes. Any family can participate in the school choice process. Families zoned for one of the three schools can get priority in the school choice process when selecting one of the schools (Schrader, Highlands, Chasco K8), however transportation may not be provided.

8. How would the receiving schools differ?

Schrader Elementary is being elevated to a STEAM-oriented school with science labs, computer science and arts integration; and Gulf Highlands Elementary is being proposed as Highlands Exploratory Academy providing an elementary CTE focus centered on Career, Character, and Community. Chasco K8 will be a connected kindergarten through eighth-grade experience with continuity and acceleration options.

9. Will students retain access to Exceptional Student education services, English Language Learner services and intervention?

The district remains responsible for planning and providing appropriate services and continuity for eligible students. Receiving school teams would need to review IEPs, Section 504 plans, ELL supports, intervention records and related services before the transition.

10. What about gifted services, tutoring, clubs, specials and extracurricular activities?

Specific programs and activities differ by school, however with the expansion of programming at SES, GHES and CHK8 there will be some continuity, as well as new opportunities. Draft examples include STEAM and computer science at Schrader; STAR, running clubs, student council, ASL and Math clubs and tutoring at Gulf Highlands; and K8 continuity and community-school supports at Chasco. All schools provide gifted services.

Transportation and School Access

11. Will bus transportation be available?

Transportation for Gulf Highlands Elementary, Schrader Elementary and Chasco K8 can be determined after the attendance boundaries have been finalized. Transportation services engages in a thorough annual process of analyzing needed bus stops to provide the safest and most efficient transportation. The Transportation route development and staffing process occurs each year and is directly related to student enrollment data available at the time. Transportation eligibility, bus stops, routing and travel times will be evaluated after final boundaries and student enrollment are known. Families will receive route-specific information closer to the 2027–2028 school year.

12. Will children within two miles have to walk?

Pasco County Schools provides transportation to eligible students who live two or more miles from their zoned school, in accordance with Florida Statute § 1006.21.

13. Will school start times, car lines and travel times change?

Potential receiving schools may have different schedules and traffic patterns. The district publishes verified bell schedules annually each spring, and schools communicate arrival and dismissal procedures, and anticipated transportation impacts once assignments and routes are developed.

14. How many walkers are presently at FHES?

There are presently 352 non- transport students identified (279 car riders and 73 remaining walkers/bike riders) and 71 transportation eligible at Fox Hollow Elementary.

15. Would students assigned to Chasco K-8 have transportation?

The majority of Fox Hollow students would be eligible for transportation to Chasco K8, with a few exceptions who live within the school's two-mile non-transportation zone. These students would not have to cross Little Road.

16. Would students assigned to Schrader Elementary and Gulf Highlands Elementary have transportation?

Based on the anticipated boundaries, most students would be eligible for transportation. Approximately 84 students fall within the school's two-mile non-transportation zone and would not be eligible for district transportation. However, we are currently evaluating any potential hazardous walking conditions.

Early Learning and Family Support Programs

17. What will happen to Head Start, VPK and ESE preschool classes currently at Fox Hollow?

The district anticipates relocating existing Fox Hollow early-learning units to sites determined through community needs. Placement will consider service needs, continuity, waiting lists and available space. Locations, unit counts, capacity and family notification procedures are done annually.

18. Will before-school and after-school care continue?

Fox Hollow’s STAR program is connected to the federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant, for which continuation and sites are subject to grant requirements and approvals. Approval of and funding on these grant programs are given annually. The STAR program is currently available at nearby schools (GHES, RES, SRES), including Gulf Highlands Elementary, Richey Elementary and Sunray Elementary. PLACE before and after school program access is available at Schrader Elementary and Chasco K8.

19. What will happen to the food pantry and other community partnerships?

The district is reviewing where to relocate Fox Hollow’s existing food assistance and community services in transition planning. Gulf Highlands Elementary School and Chasco K8 currently each have a Feeding Tampa Bay food pantry.

Enrollment and Resource Questions

20. How much available capacity exists at nearby schools?

The district projects to have 1,119 open seats in 2027-2028 across listed area schools (FHES, GHES, SES, and Chasco K8). Presently, there are over 200 available seats at each of these schools.

21. Where have students leaving Fox Hollow Elementary and the surrounding schools gone?

Possible contributors to enrollment decline include demographic changes, family moves, declining birth rates, and school choice into other district, charter, private and home schools.

22. What if neighborhood enrollment increases in future years?

The district constantly reviews enrollment trends, development activity and long-range school-capacity needs. Future enrollment changes will continue to be addressed through planning and applicable district decisions.

23. What will happen to the Fox Hollow campus?

An intent to negotiate, which is a competitive process to invite ideas for a building’s future use will be used. This invites proposals for use of the land and allows time to evaluate options and negotiate details. Additionally, the board considers approval of the proposed agreement.

24. What will happen to Fox Hollow teachers and staff?

If the proposed closure is approved, Pasco County Schools’ Human Resources (HR) and Employee Relations (ER) departments will work collaboratively with Fox Hollow Elementary staff to provide guidance and support throughout the transition with staff being relocated to other schools.