District says it received two Schools of Hope building notices; legal staff flag operational and safety concerns
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Counsel reported receiving building notices from Mater Academy and Somerset Academy for co‑location at Pelican Island Classical Magnet; the district is drafting responses, raising safety/security questions about submitted floor plans and warning of operational and fiscal risks if operators occupy surplus buildings at 'no cost.'
Indian River County School Board legal counsel told the board the district has received building notices from two proposed Schools of Hope operators and is working on formal responses.
Counsel said Mater Academy submitted a building notice at midnight and Somerset Academy filed a separate notice early the next morning for co‑location at Pelican Island Classical Magnet. Counsel noted the operators' underlying capacity reports did not reflect the school’s recent conversion to Pelican Island Classical Magnet, and she flagged safety and security issues tied to the floor plans the operators were required to provide under statute. Counsel said draft acknowledgment letters and confidentiality agreements were being prepared.
Counsel and the superintendent also warned of broader operational risks in the law as written. "As written, it would appear that if we have a surplus school, we'd have to go in and support it with all of the operational functions, and then they move in at no cost to them," counsel said, arguing that would strain district resources and defeat the purpose of planned consolidations.
Board members urged collective advocacy with statewide groups (FSBA, FADs) and local legislators. Miss Rosario cited proposed corrective legislation (Senate Bill by Sen. Rouson) that would restore limits on co‑location and opportunity‑zone expansions; counsel said proposed redlines could resolve some problems but that significant constitutional and statutory questions remain.
Counsel set a 20‑day calendar for responses (to Dec. 1) and said the district is coordinating with other school boards and attorneys statewide; she added many districts have seen a wave of notices and that Somerset and other chains contributed a large share of filings.
Next steps: Staff will craft legally required responses, evaluate material impracticability standards under the statute and monitor related legislation. The board encouraged coordinated advocacy and public outreach on the issue.