Schools

Almost all schools face a boundary shake-up

New buildings will change current zoning.

By TOM MARSHALL, Times Staff Writer
Published September 13, 2007

The changes will reduce overcrowding at some schools like Spring Hill Elementary, where enrollment is slated to drop from nearly 1,000 students to 777.
	[Keri Wiginton | Times (2006)]

BROOKSVILLE - Ready or not, the boundaries for nearly all of Hernando County's 21 schools are about to change.

Around 1,800 elementary and middle school students will be shifted next fall from their current buildings into a new K-8 school being constructed off Northcliffe Boulevard in Spring Hill. Hundreds of students in other schools also will be rezoned as the district adjusts for the new building and evens out enrollment bulges.

Some high school students will also shift, but not until the fall 2010 opening of a new school on U.S. 19 north of Hexam Road.

The changes will reduce overcrowding at some schools like Spring Hill Elementary, where enrollment is slated to drop from nearly 1,000 students to 777. But Suncoast and Deltona elementary schools are both projected to keep growing, and officials are urging construction of additional buildings to provide relief.

During past rezoning efforts, the School Board has allowed students entering fifth, eighth and 12th grades to remain at their schools for a final year, with parents providing transportation, said school services director James Knight.

Many families haven't heard about the boundary changes, or don't know whether they'll be affected, said Kirsten Krienes, former school advisory chairwoman at J.D. Floyd Elementary.

"I think the uproar will come once people see the maps," she predicted.

Some families in the Sterling Hills development are already campaigning to reverse plans that rezone them from Floyd into Spring Hill Elementary, Knight said.

But no families have raised concerns to the advisory committee at Powell Middle School, even though some from the school are to move into the new K-8 or into West Hernando Middle School.

"We haven't discussed it at any of our SAC meetings," said teacher and committee member Denise Altimari. "None of the parents have brought it up."

On Tuesday at 1 p.m., the School Board will review the proposed maps and consider the recommendations of its rezoning committee.

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or 352 848-1431.

Fast facts

School meetings

The Hernando County School Board is in the final stages of a process that will change attendance zone boundaries for most of its 21 schools.

On Tuesday the board meets at a 1 p.m. workshop to consider proposed changes, with public hearings in October and November and a final vote planned for December.

Today through Saturday, the Times is publishing the latest version of district maps showing those proposed changes. For more detailed maps, visit hernando.tampabay.com

[Last modified September 12, 2007, 21:27:03]