Superintendent urges action on underused facilities; proposes repurposing Wilkinson, selling The Landings and piloting middle-school reimagining

Superintendent Conner told the board the district must act now to maximize facility use, reimagine programming and protect public-school seats as the state's school-choice landscape changes. He outlined a phased proposal focused initially on four underutilized elementary schools in central county — Wilkinson, Alta Vista, Brentwood and Gulf Gate — and described options to repurpose Wilkinson and relocate district administrative offices.

Conner opened with context: births and enrollment shifts are producing lower student counts in some neighborhoods, and the expansion of the Florida Empowerment Scholarship (FES) program and the retooled "Schools of Hope" rules mean charter operators may seek to occupy underused public-school space. "Education is at a crossroads," Conner said, urging a proactive approach: identify capacity, place high-interest programs, and form partnerships to attract families.

Key proposals and rationale

- Phase 1 focus area: Superintendent Conner…