New boundaries for Pasco schools

LAND O' LAKES - Hundreds of parents in Pasco County are upset that their children will have to go to new schools next year. The district is re-drawing school boundaries because the Pasco housing boom went bust.

High school freshman Jake Stevens was concerned enough about the issue that he took a day off from school so he could speak to members of the Pasco County School Board.

He goes to River Ridge High School, and wants to stay there, but new school boundaries being drawn by the school district mean he must transfer to Hudson High School -- his third different school in four years.

"It's difficult because you have to meet new teachers, you have to make new friends. It's getting used to a new school, a whole new way of life," Stevens said.

He is not alone: dozens of angry parents packed the regular School Board meeting Tuesday asking board members to reject the change in boundaries. The district, however, faces a problem. For years it struggled to keep pace with the county's rapid residential growth.

"What we've been dealing with is growth over the last five years. We have built over 20 schools in Pasco County trying to keep up with the growth," according to Superintendent Heather Fiorentino.

But then the foreclosure crisis hit, the economy went into recession and the rapid growth ended.

Fivay High School is due to open next year, but because of the economic slow down, the district cannot fill the school with students who are brand new residents.

The student body will be made up largely of students from other schools. In an effort to keep student populations consistent from school to school, the district designed some unique-shaped boundaries.

For Jake Stevens, it means he will be transferred to Hudson High School, along with nearly 100 students from his neighborhood.

"Many of our residents purchased their homes using the school district supplied maps and the information as it relates to the school boundaries," said Laura Cole, parent of a River Ridge High School student. "Parents paid a premium for their homes believing their children were going to be attending River Ridge High School."

Board member Joanne Hurley told members of the audience few issues become as emotional as school boundaries. Nonetheless the board approved the new boundaries that will mean 1,200 high school students will go elsewhere next year.

A final public hearing is scheduled for November 17.