Hardee school board votes 4-1 to combine Bowling Green Elementary with Hilltop Elementary

The Hardee County School Board voted 4–1 on March 21 to approve option A, combining Bowling Green Elementary with Hilltop Elementary beginning next school year.

The vote came after board members discussed two proposals: option A, which would merge Bowling Green students and staff into Hilltop; and option B, which would keep both schools open while sharing key positions. The board approved option A by a four-to-one margin.

Board members said the decision reflected budgetary pressures and staff feedback. During discussion, members acknowledged the emotional impact on students, staff and the community while emphasizing a fiduciary responsibility to district finances. One board member noted the district’s general fund reserve was at 7.83% against a board-recommended target of 9%, and described the consolidation as a measure that will help the district move toward that target.

The superintendent (Hardee County School District) said district leaders had already begun planning for both options and would implement steps to ease the transition if option A prevailed. The superintendent said department leaders were meeting to coordinate instructional staffing, noninstructional staffing, bus routes and stop assignments so families would know transportation plans before the end of the school year. The superintendent also said the district will schedule closure events to give Bowling Green students and staff an opportunity for formal goodbyes.

The board’s discussion included references to staff outreach: several teachers and employees reportedly told board members they preferred joining Hilltop rather than stretching resources across two sites. Board members said they would work to make sure Bowling Green staff and students were treated as full partners in room assignments and not given secondary accommodations in the combined facility.

Implementation steps the superintendent listed include: meetings with department leaders, principal-to-principal coordination (Principals Mister Durstani and Miss Cornelius were named as the school leaders involved), staff assignment planning and scheduling of a closure ceremony for Bowling Green. The superintendent said many teachers who work at Bowling Green are expected to move to Hilltop, keeping instructional continuity for students.

The board did not set a specific date for the physical move during the meeting but indicated planning will continue and more details will be provided to families before summer break. The board and superintendent described the next three years as likely to be “lean” financially and said the district will present a plan to address shortfalls.

Votes and formal action: Agenda item 9.03 (Bowling Green/Hilltop options) passed with a 4–1 tally in favor of option A. The motion to approve option A was made by Dr. Sharp and seconded by Miss Cornell.

The superintendent said staff will return with logistics and timelines; the board asked that staff keep the district informed and preserve instructional quality during the transition.

The decision followed public notice on the agenda and board discussion; no formal public testimony opposing the consolidation was recorded in the meeting transcript.