Pasco Private School Now Dealing With a Break-In Amid the Pandemic

HOLIDAY, Fla. — Pasco County deputies are investigating a burglary at a private school in Holiday. 

Someone broke into the World of Knowledge Montessori school, stealing electronics and hundreds of dollars of student-earned money. 

It’s been a long few months at the school.  First the pandemic cancelled in-person classes. Now they’re dealing with a break-in. 

“One of the biggest things that we felt is that we were violated. That we were taken advantage of with the situation with COVID-19 because we weren’t here,” said owner Nicole Maulucci. 

Surveillance video shows the suspect in one of the classrooms. 

The suspect ended up stealing more than $800 cash, two laptops, and a projector.

“It’s sad. It’s money that can be replaced. But there’s a bigger picture,” said director Tonya Ryan. 

Ryan says the bigger picture is that the money stolen was actually earned by the students, part of the school’s hands-on way of teaching. 

She says this break-in will also turn into a lesson. 

“Our goal is to try to teach students that you can make a bad choice but here’s ways to go about it. Owning it and trying to make right on it,” Ryan said. “Our message is to spread kindness, even in tough times.”

Surveillance video shows the suspect in one of the classrooms. (Spectrum Bay News 9)

Before any lessons take place, security will slightly change at the school, which has never had a problem like this before. 

“We are so comfortable here. It is like you’re going home. To have to put no trespassing signs all over our campus is not what we’re about. Not who we are,” Maulucci said. 

Many neighbors and business owners are helping the school recover what they lost. If you’re interested in helping, visit their GoFundMe page. 

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the burglary.