Polk staff propose moving Alta Vista to Scenic Terrace site as interim K–8; board gives initial support

Polk County School Board members discussed a staff recommendation to relocate Alta Vista Elementary students to the Scenic Terrace site and convert the relocated school into a K–8 campus while the district rebuilds a new Alta Vista facility on its original site.

Superintendent Hyde said Scenic Terrace and Alta Vista sites are less than 1.5 miles apart and recommended moving Alta Vista into Scenic Terrace “but we allow Alta Vista to now expand into a K‑eight facility.” Hyde described a rolling growth model where outgoing fifth graders could choose to remain at the relocated site and grades would “roll up” through eighth grade over time.

Why it matters: Alta Vista is land‑locked and cannot support phased renovation on its current footprint. Placing Alta Vista temporarily at Scenic Terrace would relieve enrollment pressure at neighboring schools and reduce portable costs districtwide, staff said.

Key details and board questions - No vote taken: Hyde emphasized no action was required at the workshop; staff will return with timelines for community meetings and a formal recommendation for board approval. - Attendance-zone and student options: Board members asked how rezoning would work and whether students placed temporarily at Scenic Terrace could remain there; staff said families would not be forced to move and could opt to remain under established conditions (attendance, discipline, academic performance) via a contract with the district. - Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC): Hyde said zoning proposals will be drafted for ABC review; final zone changes would be subject to the ABC and subsequent board action. - Community engagement: Board members requested robust community meetings, FAQs and a clear timeline; staff agreed to provide community meeting schedules and to show draft attendance-boundary options. - Facilities and costs: Hyde said the Alta Vista original site would still be demolished and a new school built to serve long-term growth; he noted converting Scenic Terrace reduces the need for portables on other campuses and could free capital dollars.

Board reaction: Several members, including Mr. Keyes, Miss White and others, expressed support for the concept while pressing for clear timelines, color palettes for school design and assurances that students would not be forced to move between sites.

Next steps: Staff will prepare draft attendance-boundary proposals, community meeting timelines, and an FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) plan to present at the next workshop. The board may later be asked to provide specific direction or a vote to advance the plan.