Pasco, Pinellas districts move to support federal tax credit scholarships

Tampa Bay Times | By: Jeffrey S. Solochek | October 22, 2026

The big story: Weeks after first publicly discussing the idea, the Pasco County school board inked a deal Tuesday with Step Up for Students to participate in the new federal tax credit scholarship program that begins Jan. 1.

Pinellas County school board members, meanwhile, talked about whether they want to join the effort.

The program, included in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” allows individuals to get dollar-for-dollar credits on their federal taxes for up to $1,700 contributed to a scholarship granting organization. Families would apply for scholarships from those organizations, with the money available for education services starting in July.

Public schools can offer those services for their students. They just need to make sure it’s not something they otherwise would provide for free.

The Pasco school board unanimously approved its contract to work with Step Up For Students’ federal scholarship wing, Step Further, for three years. Superintendent John Legg said the agreement means the district can start promoting contributions to the fund and developing the program.

Pasco’s tentative plan is to begin with five schools, most likely serving low-income areas, with services such as after school care, tutoring and academic enrichment like robotics and music.

Board chairperson Colleen Beaudoin said it makes sense to take advantage of the money “to provide education opportunities to students who need it most” without taking away from other resources.

Pinellas superintendent Kevin Hendrick told his board during a workshop that he recommended taking the same path, despite his reservations.

Hendrick said working with Step Up goes against his better judgment, knowing the scholarship funding organization facilitates state vouchers that compete directly with public education. At the same time, he said, Step Up is a major player in the market with the infrastructure to manage a program that could benefit district students.

Beyond that, he added, Step Up has partnered with the Florida Chamber of Commerce to promote plans that specifically serve public schools and students. If the district doesn’t get in at the ground level, Hendrick said, district students would not benefit while private school children would, “and we’re left sitting on the sidelines.”