LAND O' LAKES, Fla. — The Pasco County School Board is hosting its final public hearing on the closure of three of its schools at the end of the school year.

The district is recommending the closure of Calusa Elementary, Chasco Elementary and Chasco Middle School at the conclusion of this school year, followed by the opening of a new Chasco K-8 effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

School officials said the reasoning behind the move is enrollment has decreased over time and a new combined school would allow the district to reinvest $1.5 million.

According to the district, Calusa Elementary has 429 students enrolled with a school capacity of 657 or 65% of enrollment. Chasco Elementary and Middle currently hold 582 and 614 students, respectfully. 

The schools are 1.4 miles apart and in the same Port Richey community.  

The student populations and boundaries are unchanged for the 2024-2025 school year, with proposed boundary changes to rezone the schools' current student population planned for the Board’s consideration later this fall.

Students would attend their newly zoned school beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

District officials added that should students not want to attend their newly zoned school, they may apply for school choice through the Pasco Pathways process, in accordance with the district’s controlled open enrollment plan.

The public hearing is scheduled as an agenda item at Tuesday’s 6 p.m. school board meeting.