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Parent urges board to delay Bluewater-Destin rezoning after late notice; district says change phases in future years
Summary
A Bluewater Elementary parent asked the Okaloosa County School Board to reconsider a proposed rezoning that would remove a dual zone allowing Bluewater students to attend Destin Middle; district staff said transportation would be provided for the next school year and the full change would phase in later.
A Bluewater Elementary parent urged the Okaloosa County School Board to reconsider a proposed rezoning that would end a dual zone allowing some Bluewater students to attend Destin Middle School, saying the change was announced too late and would harm students with special needs.
Caroline Lyles, who said she has two children at Bluewater, told the board her daughter, a current fifth grader with an individualized education program, was scheduled to go to Destin Middle and that Destins smaller environment better fits her needs. Lyles said she learned of the rezoning proposal at a January workshop and asked the board to "please reconsider" because the timing was a "massive disservice" to families who planned for the Destin placement.
Superintendent Mr. Chambers responded that the proposal would eliminate the dual zone for Destin Middle and Ruckle but not take effect immediately. He told the board the proposed change would not take effect until the 2026-27 school year and that the districts staff had contacted impacted families and planned meetings at Bluewater and Destin. The superintendent said the district would provide transportation for the affected students through the next school year and that the long-term change is connected to fifth-grade attendance shifts when Bluewaters fifth-graders return to Destin Elementary.
The parent said she had spoken to school staff who told her the change was effective immediately and that Destin Middle was not listed on the waiver form she tried to submit. She said roughly 60 Bluewater fifth-graders would be affected and expressed concern that Ruckle is over capacity and does not offer the smaller special-education environment her daughter needs.
Mr. Chambers and Mr. Meyer (district facilities/planning) told the board they would work with families claiming hardship and would maintain transportation next year for affected students while the rezoning phase-in proceeds as proposed. No formal board vote on rezoning occurred during the workshop; the superintendent said the proposal will proceed to public hearing.
