Florida / School Districts / Alachua
Alachua County Public Schools told the public it has about 6,600 unused student seats and is considering right-sizing measures — including redrawing attendance zones and closing or consolidating campuses — with a final decision slated for a special school board meeting at 6 p.m. March 12.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
The board approved the agenda, minutes, consent agenda items and financial reports, approved policy amendments, passed bids/requisitions 4–1, and directed an internal audit into payroll after concerns about bus driver overpayments.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
After more than two hours of public testimony, the Alachua County School Board signaled support for a redrafted “Option D” in its Our Schools: Future Ready plan while directing staff to return with targeted data on zoning exceptions, program relocations, and concurrency before the March 12 special meeting.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
At a Feb. 26 workshop, district staff and consultants outlined a rightsizing plan that would convert multiple campuses to K–8s, potentially close or consolidate five elementary schools and revise attendance zones; the planning committee voted to forward draft Option D for elementary (with Option C for middle and Option D for high) to the full board while residents voiced strong opposition and asked the board to slow the timeline and publish underlying data.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
JB Pro consultant Kathy Ebaugh presented three draft boundary scenarios for Alachua Public Schools that aim to “right‑size” the district in response to declining enrollment, recommending K–8 conversions and proposed closures (including Rawlings and Foster in some drafts) and inviting public comment before March board action.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
District consultants and staff presented three draft boundary scenarios that would convert several campuses to K–8, close up to five elementary campuses in some options and reallocate about 6,600 excess seats; local mayors and commissioners raised questions about walkability, transportation and neighborhood impacts.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
During the Feb. 3 meeting the Alachua County School Board approved the meeting agenda and multiple minutes and consent items (all 5‑0) and renewed three charters: Resilience (5‑year, passed 4‑0, one member absent), North Central Florida Public (5‑year, passed 4‑0) and Caring and Sharing (10‑year, passed 4‑0).
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
Chair proposed an FSBA governance/way‑of‑work session; some board members supported scheduling a short start, while others — including at least two members — said they would not participate, arguing the brief session would not address deeper governance issues and that substantive training requires more time.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
Superintendent Dr. Patton announced updated guidance on law‑enforcement interactions in schools after meetings with the sheriff and area chiefs; Sheriff Chad Scott described a recent juvenile‑threat response and underlined ongoing cooperation between law enforcement and the district.
Florida / School Districts / Alachua
Board member Ms. Plavic pressed the superintendent for monthly financial statements that she says were not presented for a year and flagged a late state cost report; union leaders and HR staff described reductions in media‑aide positions, reduced hours for clerical and paraprofessional staff, and survey results indicating staff often work unpaid overtime.