Pasco School District Closes Dedicated Early Learning Center, Redirecting Resources for Other Educational Needs

The Pasco County school district’s first dedicated early learning center, Mittye P. Locke Early Learning Academy, is set to close its doors after just two years in operation. Opened in 2023 in New Port Richey, the center was established with high hopes that it would attract families seeking prekindergarten and related educational programs. The district invested approximately million to transform a former elementary school into a 10-classroom facility designed to address a critical demand for early childhood education services within the west Pasco community.

Unfortunately, enrollment numbers fell short of expectations. The initial registration for Voluntary Prekindergarten, Head Start, and special education early learning classes was 106 children, but this figure has declined to just 82 in the current year. Reports indicate that only three families have applied for the Voluntary Prekindergarten program for the upcoming fall term. Superintendent John Legg noted that the center has been operating at a loss of around .5 million annually, a situation that prompted the district to reevaluate its approach to early childhood education.

Superintendent Legg acknowledged the well-intentioned model of the early learning center but indicated that parents prefer prekindergarten programs located at the same schools where their older children attend. In response, the district is exploring the possibility of relocating prekindergarten services to several westside elementary schools that currently have available space. Schools such as Deer Park, Cotee River, Sunray, Marlowe, and Seven Springs elementary are being considered, with evaluations based on factors like demand and kindergarten readiness data.

Additionally, the district plans to move its Head Start classes from the current location at the Locke Academy to a new facility developed by Metropolitan Ministries in Holiday. This program has been experiencing a waiting list for enrollment opportunities, compounded by the district’s unsuccessful bid for a federal grant aimed at program expansion.

To adapt to its changing needs, the district will relocate its alternative Achieve Academy from Richey Elementary to the Locke campus. In tandem, a transition program will be established at Locke for over-age fourth and fifth graders who have faced behavioral challenges at their home schools. This adjustment is anticipated to provide Richey Elementary, which has faced challenges in state testing scores, with additional space for support services aimed at improving its educational outcomes.

As these programmatic shifts are enacted, the school board will not require a formal vote, but a workshop is scheduled to discuss the transition and determine whether to rename the early learning center as Mittye P. Locke Achievement Academy to better reflect its new mission. School board chairperson Cynthia Armstrong expressed her disappointment at the lower-than-expected enrollment but acknowledged that families often prefer to keep their younger children connected to the same schools for logistical reasons. Board member Megan Harding emphasized the importance of early literacy exposure for young children to ensure they are adequately prepared for kindergarten, reiterating the district’s commitment to serving their educational needs.

Principal Jomary Schulz, who was instrumental in launching the early learning center, reflected on the closing sentiment via social media, emphasizing the dedication of the staff and the establishment of strong relationships within the community. As the district navigates these transitions, staff members are assured of their positions for the following academic year, signaling a commitment to continuity despite the changes.

This situation underscores ongoing challenges in early childhood education access within parts of west Pasco, an area where the district remains focused on enhancing service delivery to better prepare children for future educational success.

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