Schools

Pasco School's $1 Billion Budget: Have Your Say Tuesday

The first public hearing is slated for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30.

Land O' Lakes residents who want to have a say on how Pasco County schools will be funded in the coming year will have their chance soon.

A public hearing on the 2013-14 Pasco County Schools budget is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 30. The meeting will be held at Building #3 North, 7205 Land O' Lakes Blvd. 

Pasco’s $1.05 billion budget was introduced last week. Officials are facing a budget shortfall for the sixth consecutive year in a row — $26 million in the case of 2013-14.

Pasco County anticipates cost increases of roughly $17.5 million this year. The spikes include $3.5 million for salary increases, $2.45 million to add two days to the instructional contract and $5.3 million for retirement increases.

School officials had voted to earlier this year to cut media specialists and literacy coaches from the district, replacing them with 80 new hybrid positions to save $4.8 million.

Pasco school start times are also changing at eight campuses in an effort to streamline and consolidate bus lines. That move, which does not impact Land O’ Lakes parents, is designed to save $800,000 for Pasco.

Want more information about the district's budget? Check out its Budget Town Hall Meeting 2013 document online.

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