Indian River superintendent outlines school‑reconfiguration plan to boost programming and save money

Superintendent Doctor Moore on Tuesday presented a district innovation plan that would repurpose several campuses, expand K–8 offerings and shift the Freshman Learning Center into the main high‑school campus to reduce mid‑day transportation and increase student seat time.

Moore told the board the district’s two‑year strategic plan focuses on community, innovation and leadership and that the proposal grew from extensive community outreach. "This is not an innovation project that is happening to Indian River County. This is something that's happening for Indian River County and with Indian River County," he said, noting more than a dozen community presentations and town halls.

The plan includes: moving a portion of Oslo Middle School into the Freshman Learning Center to stop mid‑day bussing; transitioning Osceola and Rosewood under a K–8 model and adding kindergarten cohorts to retrofitted campuses; consolidating Glendale and Citrus elementary sites to preserve and expand an agricultural program; and redoing middle‑school boundaries to create three repurposed zones serving Gifford, Sebastian River and Vero Beach.

Moore estimated the operating‑cost impact of the Freshman Learning Center move, combined with the Oslo shift, at about $1,200,000 in overall savings. He said the changes also would enable more advanced coursework to be offered earlier and strengthen connections between middle and high‑school programs, such as orchestra, visual and performing arts and vocational CTE courses including culinary arts.

Board members pressed for evidence that low enrollment reflected a "perception problem" rather than deeper academic or discipline issues. Moore said Oslo has moved from a C to a high B rating in recent years and that he saw improved morale and instruction during visits. "Rebranding is not slap a new name on the school," he said; he described rebranding as aligning programming, athletics and arts so families see a clear pipeline for students.

Transportation and start times were central to Moore’s proposal. He said consolidating campuses reduces duplicate bus routes and supports moving high schools 15 minutes later (from 7:05 a.m. to about 7:20 a.m.), while middle and elementary times would shift by smaller increments to preserve after‑school programs. Moore argued the later high‑school start would improve first‑period attendance and address student safety concerns for early morning travel.

District staff emphasized phased implementation and transition protections for employees. Moore said the district had validated placement plans to "provide homes for everybody" over the next two years and that many staffing changes would be absorbed through reassignment rather than layoffs.

Next steps: Moore said the board will continue community meetings, present formal boundary maps and return for required public hearings and a December meeting for potential approval before further action.