[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6145519,"mediaKeyId","5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff","parentId",5532877,"title","School board reviews green‑zone plan to build new K–8, consolidate three campuses and repurpose alternative education site","audioSeconds",3332,"startMs",199000,"endMs",3531000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff&start=199&end=3531","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff/thumbnail_199000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145519/Florida/School-board-reviews-greenzone-plan-to-build-new-K8-consolidate-three-campuses-and-repurpose-alternative-education-site","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145519-127672c1564e2844709a8113220bf52c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773111245&Signature=NqfWt6Tw76tlSr8GAUgy5p7b4WR0J8CbNqpj8XA7jxL3BP1b4aMyulyebuzlvKJbj1qmzyEhFTXLJYFCEuuMzQ0sfjum0zKwOfgY3dc4ZT5c1lNsujtmFPtJmfAja4lOhNjMeA15JCSorJwL6GWEJcXzDYirfmZ4FS0pGmE1Buaw1CJDdHpoU7WpUcsjZdkR2em-dOBcysPebPX0Ch4nvEJL6rP7ZUOTePfjVJTUsL3gWBPTJCXKW0twrEiaMvgIMkdBZcdmmPqNMvBnu46TvoFcwC5jOd9Wlk21DeLNDGmMpwGJEmKGn~3Dpq7hLeNszeLS1VsaBjiib1E~tK30nQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","St. Lucie County School District","date","2025-08-05T19:24:49.457Z","article","Dr. Prince, superintendent of Saint Lucie Public Schools, presented a plan July 29 asking the school board to support a multi‑year green‑zone revitalization that would consolidate Lawnwood Elementary, Saint Lucie Elementary and the Dale Cassens programs into a single new K–8 school adjacent to the current Dan McCarty campus and move the district's alternative education programs onto the Dan McCarty site.

The plan, as described by district staff, would: build a new K–8 next to Dan McCarty; convert Chester A. Moore into a K–8 with a new gym and middle‑school upgrades (a project the district estimated at about $15,000,000); relocate the Dale Cassens alternative education program to the Dan McCarty campus so the program's two current sites could be combined; and market or sell the Lawnwood, Saint Lucie Elementary and the Bridal/Garden City properties once the new facility is ready. Dr. Prince said the district would lease back the existing buildings so students would remain in place until the new school opens.

The district cited growth and capacity planning as the immediate drivers: Legacy High School is scheduled to open in August 2025, a Western Grove K–8 is planned for August 2026, and staff showed a timeline that could see the consolidated K–8 delivered in the late 2020s with \"earliest beam 2028\" noted. Superintendent Dr. Prince told the board the district is near its borrowing limit and that the consolidation plan is intended to deliver a new facility in the green zone without increasing district debt.

District presenters shared performance and operational data to justify the consolidation. Dr. Summer, a district data analyst, reported combined learning‑gain and year‑to‑year growth metrics showing the three schools' combined reading and math growth roughly matched or exceeded district averages in 2025; combined discipline referrals and attendance rates were near the district median. Dr. Waller and Terrence O'Leary reviewed maps and growth projections that show the county's fastest enrollment growth concentrated in the southwestern \"red zone,\" while the green zone areas under consideration have slower growth but aging facilities.

Board members asked about staff and principal assignments, possible displacement and community engagement. Several board members emphasized that no positions would be eliminated and that staff would be reassigned under contract language at the time of transition. Board members and the superintendent also said community input and naming of any new school would be part of the process. Sabrina Taylor, a Fort Pierce resident and Saint Lucie Public Schools graduate who spoke during public comment, told the board she supports keeping the new facility in the existing neighborhood and urged continued transparency: \"I too support the... it should remain in that community,\" she said.

Staff outlined benefits the district expects: modernized classrooms and HVAC efficiencies, expanded career and technical education (CTE) space for the alternative program, a gym for students who currently lack one, and local economic activity tied to construction. The superintendent said the district estimates the board's recent and planned construction will inject about $250,000,000 into local companies and contractors over three years.

No formal vote was taken during the work session. Dr. Prince asked for direction and said any actual property negotiations or contract approvals would return to the board. He also committed to regular updates to the board (about every one to two months) and to keep community engagement and transparency part of the process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board Workshop - July 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Dr. Prince, superintendent of Saint Lucie Public Schools, presented a plan July 29 asking the school board to support a multi‑year green‑zone revitalization that would consolidate Lawnwood Elementary, Saint Lucie Elementary and the Dale Cassens programs into a single new K–8 school adjacent to the current Dan McCarty campus and move the district's alternative education programs onto the Dan McCarty site.","taxTitle","St. Lucie, School Districts, Florida","taxId",15275,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6145510,"District to begin process for state‑required internal auditor; staff recommends outside firm",228,4190000,4418000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff&start=4190&end=4418","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff/thumbnail_4190000.jpg","/articles/6145510/Florida/District-to-begin-process-for-staterequired-internal-auditor-staff-recommends-outside-firm","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145510-39d5c6efefa4f658f8e76380cf256a85/orig.mp4?Expires=1773111245&Signature=Go1KrwrOrNtgRc2gAnzGf71kdnlQtYKFSmpWaeXlkE4xOgTkdocPY5AxC6y6IWYZgglCnKdjTAif8yuFZS7qeoB77ZYiQvzAbJkjuwox56YsGhdeIuyTT9fuiHjzE3AMH5m49sT6lyaR8O4L0W82gKN2UMnhBmUkcqr35LnQdk3cuT~dk~shN6POmQdbWt2QfZIVSCKDaXnDZDgAMA5s2iXarkQiQKFbp2g4XF8Cep9iy8tzdO8xd5jHhx4kO0eQvIVt-Wh6w-0YQxRZWngYVHG8eLjUGLXO87AgbKXsjYcopjIIeGElBiaX~wOYmqYSBOP4KzbN4TzWnzPiA-drqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Michelle Thomas, chief financial officer for Saint Lucie Public Schools, told the board July 29 that Florida statute requires any district with annual revenues over $500,000,000 to employ an internal auditor and presented two options: a direct hire who would report to the board or an outside contracted firm. Thomas recommended an external firm and outlined a selection process, committee composition and timeline.

Thomas said an external firm would provide specialized expertise, avoid internal bias and could be more cost effective than hiring one or more full‑time employees with salaries and benefits. Her proposed timeline asks the board to appoint a committee chair at the next board meeting (the board's August meeting), approve a committee roster at a public meeting, and begin the request for proposals in September. She emphasized the committee must include at least three members, one of whom must be a board member, and that district employees cannot serve on the selection committee.

Superintendent Dr. Prince and several board members expressed support for an external auditor, saying an outside firm can provide greater objectivity and protect the board. No final decision was made at the work session; staff will return with committee nominations and an RFP package for the board to approve.","Saint Lucie Public Schools staff outlined the process required by Florida statute for hiring an internal auditor once annual revenues exceed $500 million and recommended contracting with an external firm rather than a direct hire; the board will appoint a selection committee and begin an RFP process in September.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6145514,"District staff proposes raising contract signature authority to $100,000 to speed school services",352,3624000,3976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff&start=3624&end=3976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5532877-b3e2d09ec8aa472e58c8e321949914ff/thumbnail_3624000.jpg","/articles/6145514/Florida/District-staff-proposes-raising-contract-signature-authority-to-100000-to-speed-school-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145514-1dd9ac419838154c180d06275d9abe4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773111245&Signature=bM7aLOYyjCs7ySpfx3CFyHYZZbBR1mUN92EWpbzEJgTD6wvgRl6qsAzXYEoNP2Uohjxx9V1-JgMIrGS8nZ9~Ss7dDEH6QBoXDthivhVATo18a16fneH2Mr-TzgX6CyIc6nE5YVppeitXcg6-SB0OMDATMWX7pd7XrF6qDwszUF40x7qTn~Bnm20fMATRVuvzvUBLYLgR7jYdCGhMKJu~2sASL14GteNBm~cpz4yG12ZydktpnSHiI~-HxQ7bCt4dyU7y8-B4YhwpgFKltaP-htDX7NAvuck9rzOUBlwkOeHEdn8KcoD-H7fIwl8t52X7zssrEVOq6Mky4h2vBeUILQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kim Albritton, a representative of the district's finance department, asked the board July 29 to raise the contract signature authority from $50,000 to $100,000 and to increase the district's quote threshold from $8,000 to $10,000, a change staff said would match federal quote thresholds and speed procurement for services such as special education and mental‑health contracts.

Albritton told the board the limit was last raised in February 2014 and that inflation and rapid district growth (she cited an increase of more than 15,000 FTE since 2014) have increased the number and urgency of contracts schools must execute. \"We'd like to take it from 50,000 to 100,000,\" Albritton said. She said all contracts would remain subject to audit review and that the finance department recently received a financial audit with zero findings.

Superintendent Dr. Prince said he supported the proposed $100,000 limit as a continuation of the prior pattern of doubling the cap and emphasized that contracts above the threshold would still come to the board. Several board members urged additional transparency measures: one asked that signed contracts under the new limit be listed on a future informational agenda so members could review what the superintendent had executed.

No formal policy change was adopted at the work session. Dr. Prince said the recommendation would proceed through the district's policy review process and return to the board for ratification; he and staff said implementation would follow board approval.","Saint Lucie Public Schools finance staff proposed raising the district's contract signature authority from $50,000 to $100,000 and increasing the quote threshold from $8,000 to $10,000 to reduce delays for student services; the board signaled support and asked for ongoing transparency and an itemized informational report after approvals.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

School board reviews green‑zone plan to build new K–8, consolidate three campuses and repurpose alternative education site

District to begin process for state‑required internal auditor; staff recommends outside firm

District staff proposes raising contract signature authority to $100,000 to speed school services