Who will attend Elementary School 'S'?

A committee will meet every two weeks to determine boundaries.

By LOGAN D. MABE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 1, 2002

BRANCHTON -- Educators and community members are beginning to put together the pieces of a puzzle that will determine who attends New Tampa's newest elementary school.

An attendance boundary committee for Elementary School "S" held its fourth work session Wednesday afternoon and began looking at ways to carve up new zones. The school is the latest in a line of new elementaries to serve booming New Tampa, said Bill Person, the district's boundary facilitator.

First, there was Tampa Palms Elementary, which quickly filled to capacity. Then Hunter's Green Elementary was built to relieve Tampa Palms. Next, Pride Elementary was built to relieve overcrowded Hunter's Green. Now, Pride is full, hence the need for Elementary School "S," which will open in August 2003.

Pride, in just its third year, is already above capacity, Person said. Built to house 895 students, Pride's projected 20th-day enrollment is expected to be 985.

"Our major goal is to give needed relief to Pride," Person said.

Now, the committee's task is to pick and choose which neighborhoods will stay with the old school and which will attend the new one.

One option would have Magnolia Trace, Pinehurst, Heritage Isles, Heritage Pines, the Villas at Cross Creek and the Addison and Andover apartment complexes zoned for the new school.

That proposal, a mere discussion topic at this point, is sure to have fans and foes. But the committee, which will meet every two weeks, will work to find a solution that pleases as many parents as possible.

The final proposals will go before the School Board in December.

The district also is soliciting names for the new school. Those with ideas have until Sept. 20 to contact Cathy Valdes, General Director, Area III; 6617 N 56th St., Tampa, FL 33610. Names submitted after that date will not be included in the list of suggested names the School Board will consider on Oct. 15.

-- Logan D. Mabe can be reached at 269-5304 or at mabe@sptimes.com.

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