The Pasco County School Board voted 4-1 on Nov. 3 to close Fox Hollow Elementary in Port Richey at the end of the school year, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

The decision advances a consolidation plan prompted by declining enrollment and available classroom space. Student assignments still depend on a separate attendance-boundary process.

Board member Jessica Wright cast the lone opposing vote, raising questions about transportation and where students would attend next fall. Other members backed the plan's proposed academic changes, according to the Times.

What changes for families

The district's Fox Hollow planning FAQ says the school will operate normally through 2026-27, with reassignment planned for 2027-28. It identifies Schrader Elementary, Gulf Highlands Elementary and Chasco K-8 as the potential receiving schools. Individual assignments cannot be confirmed until boundaries are finalized.

The FAQ describes a science, technology, engineering, arts and math focus at Schrader, a career-exploration program at Gulf Highlands under the proposed name Highlands Exploratory Academy, and a kindergarten-through-eighth-grade option at Chasco.

Transportation remains a concern

The district's FAQ lists 73 walkers or bicycle riders, 279 car riders and 71 transportation-eligible students at Fox Hollow. It groups walkers, bicyclists and car riders together as 352 students who do not receive district transportation; that category does not mean all of those children walk.

Bus eligibility, stops and routes for receiving schools will be evaluated after final boundaries and enrollment are known, the district says.

The district's planning timetable calls for a community boundary workshop in January, a public hearing in February and final board action in early March. The Times likewise reported that school zones would return for review in January, with a final vote expected in March.