Wesley Chapel-area families will see higher school taxes next year, even as the district projects enrollment growth concentrated in their backyard.
Property tax levy rises despite budget cuts
The Pasco County School Board adopted tentative millage rates Tuesday at its first public hearing on the 2026-27 budget, setting a proposed property tax levy of $436,627,342.
That's a $17 million increase over the current year's $419,589,837.
The five-member board set the operating millage at 4.684 mills and the capital outlay millage at 1.5 mills. The capital levy alone will generate roughly $101.7 million for construction, technology, buses and maintenance districtwide, according to the district's published budget summary.
Despite the higher levy, overall operating expenditures are projected to drop 0.9% from last year. Prior coverage pegged the tentative all-funds budget at approximately $2.28 billion, down from $2.305 billion in 2025-26. The district is eliminating 476 full-time-equivalent positions districtwide while growth remains concentrated in central and eastern Pasco, particularly near Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass Ranch. A May workshop projected traditional enrollment declining by 2,001 students districtwide, while charter enrollment grows by 1,383.
School safety, disability services grants approved
The board approved a federal COPS Technology and Equipment Program grant that will fund technology, equipment and communication systems aimed at preventing and responding to crime at schools across the district. Chief of Staff Kevin Shibley's agenda submission described the competitive grant as providing law enforcement agencies with tools to prevent and respond to crime at schools.
Two IDEA Part B grants were also approved, one covering K-12 students and one for pre-kindergarten, both providing supplemental services to students with disabilities. Title I, Title II and Title III grants supporting high-poverty schools, teacher quality and English Language Learner programs rounded out the federal funding approvals. Dollar amounts for those grants were not listed in the meeting agenda.
Pasco High upgrades lead facilities actions
A $310,695 construction amendment adds athletic facility upgrades at Pasco High School in Dade City, funded by a Florida state budget appropriation. The amendment increases the architect's fee for Harvard Jolly Architects to $2,483,320 on a project with a $35 million construction budget originally approved in July 2023.
The board also adopted the Five-Year District Facilities Work Program, a state-required plan covering enrollment projections, facility capacity and capital projects developed in coordination with local governments.
Wesley Chapel High School and Wiregrass Ranch High School each received approval for $750 petty cash funds for the coming school year, part of a $12,500 districtwide allocation. Cypress Creek High School received the same amount.
Final budget hearing set for September
Board Chair Cynthia Armstrong, Vice Chair Colleen Beaudoin and members Al Hernandez, Jessica Wright and Megan Harding serve under Superintendent Dr. John Legg. Individual vote tallies from Tuesday's hearing have not yet been posted in the meeting minutes.
The final public hearing on the 2026-27 budget is set for Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. at the District Office boardroom, 7205 Land O' Lakes Blvd., Land O' Lakes. Residents can speak during the public comment period before the board takes its final vote.
