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Schools

Lecanto freshmen get choice: stay or relocate

But new students in the revised district will go to Citrus High or Crystal River High next year to relieve crowding.

By EDDY RAMIREZ
Published December 13, 2005

LECANTO - The school district has scrapped part of a controversial plan that would have forced current freshmen at crowded Lecanto High School to relocate to the district's two other high schools next year.

Current Lecanto freshmen will be allowed to stay if they wish, just as sophomores and juniors are. But starting next school year, new students who live in the revised district will have to go to Citrus High School or Crystal River High School.

"We're not going to get the maximum benefits of rezoning," said administrator Renna Jablonskis. "The school is still going to be crowded."

As a result, the district plans to ease crowding at Lecanto by creating a separate wing that will house incoming freshmen in concrete portables. The two-story, 12-classroom wing will be part of what school officials are calling a freshmen transition center or freshmen academy.

With the new plan, it could be three years before student enrollment drops to capacity, she said. Lecanto, a school built for 1,498 students, has 1,746 students now.

In November, about 130 current Lecanto students received letters saying they would have to switch high schools next year under a rezoning plan aimed at balancing the student populations at all three high schools.

At two separate community meetings, upset parents lashed out at the district, urging school officials to allow current students affected by the plan to stay at Lecanto.

Principal Kelly Tyler agreed the request was a sensible one.

"When you talk about rezoning and students who develop relationships with teachers and other students, it's tough on them," Tyler said.

A public hearing to discuss the modified rezoning plan has been rescheduled for Jan 24. Afterward, the district will send another round of letters to students, informing parents that those students who wish to remain at the school will have to submit a waiver form.

"We have no idea how many will take us up on that," Jablonskis said.

Mike Mullen, director of support services, said the district is considering creating more classroom space by replacing six existing portables with stacked concrete portables.

Incoming freshmen will be housed in those portables and follow an alternate bell schedule that could ease crowding in common areas, including hallways and the cafeteria. Students have complained about being jostled during passing periods with so many students changing classes at the same time.

"It's going to be a challenge," Mullen said. "We're holding our breath. But it's definitely something we're excited about being able to do."

--Eddy Ramirez can be reached at eramirez@sptimes.com or 860-7305.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 09:53:34]