Consultant outlines 17‑month districtwide facilities master plan; board presses for more bids and local engagement

Consultants hired by the Hernando County School Board outlined a districtwide educational facilities master‑planning process on Tuesday that emphasizes community‑driven engagement alongside data analysis and rezoning options.

At a workshop presentation, Jim Lipsey, identified as the district school planner, introduced Kathy Eboe and Nick Hill of JB Pro and said the project would combine growth forecasts, enrollment analysis and broad community engagement to produce a multi‑year master plan. "How can Hernando's public schools become their school of choice?" Lipsey asked, citing the need to pair vision and programmatic priorities with where new capacity is built.

The consultants proposed a three‑element process — analysis, planning and confirmation — tied to a public engagement program split into three geographic engagement areas (West, Central and East). JB Pro estimated the work would take about 17 months, include multiple workshops and local events (the firm described facilitating the first event for each element in each engagement area) and produce a six‑chapter final educational facilities plan. The written estimate presented to the board totals about $435,000,…