Waterset parents ask Hillsborough board to plan Dobie K–8 expansion as neighborhood grows
Summary
Parents from Waterset and Apollo Beach urged the board to place a Dobie K–8 expansion on the capital plan or start a feasibility study, citing enrollment growth, charter spillover and projected capacity issues.
Multiple parents from Waterset and Apollo Beach told the Hillsborough County School Board that growth in the Adobe/Dobie attendance zone requires long-term planning. Suba Tiglieri said over 495 students zoned for Dobie now attend charter schools and that Dobie is operating at roughly 71% capacity but will exceed capacity within three to five years without K–8 expansion or other long-term planning.
Parents and community members described the emotional and logistical strain of uncertain school placements—longer commutes, separated siblings, and stress for families without flexible transportation—and asked the board to advance a capital planning item, scope a feasibility study, or provide a clear timeline for expansion. One parent suggested Dobie become a middle-grade choice school serving both zoned and choice families; children who spoke briefly told the board expanding Dobie would let more friends attend together.
Superintendent staff acknowledged growth pressures in parts of the county and said Eisenhower Middle School would absorb some growth but might not be adequate as the only long-term option. Parents asked for more definitive district action rather than temporary rezoning or busing solutions.
No binding decision was made at the meeting; the board heard requests and asked staff to consider capital-planning options and feasibility next steps.
