The decision to close a Pasco County school for autistic children has officially been put on hold.

The Florida Autism Center for Excellence, or FACE, in Zephyrhills announced plans to close at the end of this school year. Parents immediately went in search of someone that could help keep the school open. That search, they said, led them to HOPE Youth Ranch in Hudson, which is a learning academy that helps autistic children through equine therapy.

An emergency board meeting was called after concerned parents came forward with alternative way to fund the financially strapped charter school.

A Pasco County organization is stepping up to the plate to keep the school open.

Founder Jose Suarez said earlier this week, he received a message on his Facebook Page from upset FACE-Pasco parents, sharing news of the planned closure. 

"They're doing everything they can for them," Suarez said of the parents. "They're trying every school system, every treatment method, and when they finally find the school that is successful at doing it, and then they hear the school is shutting down, that's devastating."

So Suarez began to dig for more information. 

When he came across a Bay News 9 story about a round table conversation with parents, he decided to step in. 

Suarez wants to take over the school and make it part of Hope Youth Ranch Inc.  He said his organization has a proven business model and all of the same therapies to offer. 

He said he will also be able to introduce the ranch's equine therapy method. He said has been considering expanding his organization to the east side of the county and the timing couldn't be better.

"There are 21 families there that are getting serviced," he said.  "21 really needy families that are getting serviced and the whole idea is lets keep the service going."

If everything goes as planned, the kids won't miss a beat.  HOPE Youth Ranch will take over after the end of the school year and make for a seamless transition into the start of the next school year in August.

Esther's School out of Pinellas Park has also expressed interest in taking over the school. The board has asked parents to form a fact-finding committee, which will make a recommendation of which organization to go with. The decision could be made as early as the next school board meeting on May 7.