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Parent-run survey shows strong opposition to proposed Lake Placid school merger, reports organizer
Summary
A community member summarized an anonymous survey showing many parents and staff would seek other options if the district moves forward with a proposed Lake Placid Middle/High School merger.
Katie Wilson, speaking during public comment at the Highlands County School Board meeting, presented preliminary results from an anonymous, parent-run survey about a proposed merger of Lake Placid Middle School and Lake Placid High School.
Wilson said the survey, distributed to teachers, parents, students and community members, reported that as of an 8:30 p.m. snapshot the night before, respondents included community members, parents and school employees. "76.8 percent said that if the merger moved forward, they will be seeking other educational options for their child," she told the board. She said 52 percent of teachers at Lake Placid Middle/High who responded would seek other job options if the merger proceeds.
Wilson summarized multiple open-ended comments submitted by respondents: calls for a stronger ESE program and more qualified ESE staff, smaller class sizes, expanded electives and vocational education, and requests that principals and teachers have a larger role in shaping decisions.
Why it matters: The survey suggests substantial community resistance to a proposed consolidation; trustees and administrators acknowledged receiving community feedback and said the board must consider staffing, student stability and program continuity.
Board context: Board members later discussed that a workshop had been held to outline options and that further board-level decisions would be required before any merger proceeds. Trustees emphasized communication with families and staff as the process unfolds.
Caveats: Wilson described the survey as anonymous and parent-run; the district did not certify the results during the meeting. She offered to supply raw data to board members on request.
