PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A district budget update from Pinellas County Schools could reallocate over 400 staff members.
According to the budget proposal, around 400 school-based roles will be impacted, while the district office will see about 35 roles affected. This will include closing Pinellas Gulf Coast Academy and merging Walsingham Oaks K-8.
The budget document states that instructional and represented employees displaced during this change will be moved into similar positions at other sites.
These changes will result in $30-$40 million in savings for the school district during the 2024-25 year, the budget claims.
According to the documents, the district says many schools have lower Title 1 and other grant funds based on enrollment. District enrollment trends have also been declining since 2018.
The district added that they've seen $7.5 million in healthcare increases and $2.5 million in the Florida Retirement System increase.
The budget has not yet been passed, but a workshop is set for Tuesday, April 15, and another meeting is set for June.
"If there had just been a trooper up there, maybe this whole thing could have been avoided."
A judge in Florida is sharing the story of his son's death in hopes of helping the Florida Highway Patrol trooper shortage.
