Lacoochee Elementary Expansion Planned

County plans to expand Lacoochee Elementary into a K-8 school rather than close it. If approved, the district would add sixth grade in fall 2027, followed by seventh and eighth grades in the next two years, effectively increasing enrollment by about 150 students and boosting utilization to roughly 77% capacity.

The move aims to keep students in the Lacoochee community longer and strengthen connections to middle and high school, with principal Latoya Jordan and staff playing a key role in the plan. The change is scheduled for discussion at a school board workshop and would not take effect until 2027.

Background: Lacoochee is a small, under-capacity campus serving a largely poor, minority rural community. The school has battled enrollment dips and past performance challenges, including a period with F grades, but has stabilized to B/C levels and remains a community asset.

The district is also examining a separate proposal to combine Pasco Elementary and Pasco Middle into a K-8, though that plan is separate from Lacoochee’s expansion. ♥