School staff ask board to advertise public hearing on rezoning to open Pine View K‑8 in August 2026

Okaloosa County school staff asked the school board to advertise a public hearing on a proposed rezoning of attendance areas tied to the opening of the Pine View K‑8 campus in August 2026. John Spolsky, assistant superintendent for MIS and community relations, told the board the plan aims “to create capacity and balance” among five elementary and two middle schools in the district’s North End.

The proposal would redraw boundaries for Antioch Elementary School, Bob Sykes Elementary School, Davidson Middle School, Laurel Hill School, Northwood Elementary School, Riverside Elementary School, Shoal River Middle School, Walker Elementary School and the new Pine View campus. Spolsky said the district’s consultant, MGT, used address‑based enrollment projections that extend to 2034 to inform the maps and that planners relied on natural features such as roads, rivers and Interstate 85 when drawing boundaries.

Spolsky said the district will identify currently enrolled students affected by the proposed changes and speed an engagement process so families can review the maps and options if the board approves advertising a public hearing. “We wanna make sure parents have all the information so they can make choices,” Spolsky said, describing planned outreach that includes mailed letters, school visits, QR codes, a zoning web page and an email inbox monitored by Amanda DeWitt in MIS.

Officials gave several numerical details: district staff reported that each grade level averages about 2,300 students across the district, that total district enrollment figures are roughly 31,000–32,000 students, and that the planned Pine View middle‑school capacity is “right at the 500, 600 mark.” Spolsky said the North End currently has about 6,800 middle‑school students across the region’s middle schools and that a roughly equal division would produce about 650 students per middle school without rezoning.

Board members asked staff to provide additional mapping detail showing residential locations (point data) versus commercial parcels and undeveloped land; Spolsky said that graphic can be made available. Board member Mr. Bridal noted that families affected by rezoning who wish to remain at their current school will have an option to do so “pending getting transportation, of course.”

Spolsky said the district anticipates scheduling school‑level meetings in January and February so families have time to consider options for the 2026–27 school year if the board approves the public‑hearing advertisement. He emphasized the district’s intent to minimize disruption: staff plan to coordinate with human resources so staffing follows student flows where appropriate and to “insulate” existing schools from abrupt changes while Pine View builds up programs over time.

The board heard the presentation and asked questions; staff asked the board to advertise a public hearing for consideration. The transcript does not record a formal vote on advertising the hearing.

Background and next steps: Pine View is currently projected to open in August 2026; if the board approves advertising a hearing staff plan districtwide outreach, a public hearing and subsequent adjustments to attendance boundaries before families must finalize choices for the 2026–27 school year.