Pinellas County families are heading into a public budget hearing on Monday, July 28, with a $13 million state funding shortfall hanging over the 2026-27 school year.

The school board discussed the gap and related topics at a workshop on Tuesday, July 21, though official minutes from that session have not yet been published. The agenda covered the 2026-27 budget outlook, student performance on state assessments, policy updates, the proposed 2027-28 instructional calendar, and community feedback from Planning for Progress meetings held earlier in July.

The budget picture

The district projects 3,600 fewer students in 2026-27, translating to roughly $13 million less in state funding. Board member Laura Hine laid out those figures at the June 9 regular meeting, adding that "state funding has not kept up with inflation year over year for 20 years."

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick said at the June 23 workshop that overall operating dollars will be less than last year. Chief Financial Officer Gary Jeppesen noted at that same meeting that approximately 21% of the district's funding comes from the Florida Education Finance Program, with the remainder funded locally. The district's fund balance stood at 5% as of the April 21 workshop.

The first public hearing on the 2026-27 budget is Monday, July 28, at the School Board Administration Building, 301 Fourth St. SW, Largo. A second hearing follows Tuesday, September 8.

Planning for Progress: Dunedin High hosted a session

The July 21 agenda included a review of community feedback from two rounds of Planning for Progress meetings. Dunedin High School hosted one session on Wednesday, July 15, at 6 p.m., alongside simultaneous meetings at Pinellas Park High and St. Petersburg High. An earlier round on Thursday, July 9, was held at Tarpon Springs High, Largo High, and Boca Ciega High.

The meetings invited families, staff, and community members to weigh in on enrollment projections, building utilization, school programming, and potential consolidations. The specific feedback shared with the board has not yet been made public in board documents.

Formal recommendations from the process are expected in fall 2026. The district has already closed Cross Bayou Elementary and reconfigured other schools under earlier Planning for Progress decisions.

Assessment results and calendar notes

Pinellas County Schools earned an "A" district grade from the Florida Department of Education for the third consecutive year, as announced July 1, outperforming the state in every tested subject area. The July 21 workshop agenda included a review of student performance data.

One calendar change flagged at the June 23 workshop: Veterans Day will be a student day in 2027-28 rather than a day off, to provide education and enrichment opportunities.

What families should know

The July 28 public budget hearing is the first chance for residents to comment on the 2026-27 spending plan. A District Strategic Plan work session is set for Monday, August 25. Families wanting to weigh in on the budget or the Planning for Progress consolidation process should attend the July 28 hearing in Largo.