The Sarasota County School District is considering a plan that could affect the local economy and property values. Superintendent Connor proposed closing Wilkinson Elementary and redistributing its students, citing “underutilization” as the justification.
Closing Wilkinson could set a dangerous precedent. Twelve other county schools have been labeled underutilized, and board members acknowledged that future “utilization” conversions will be needed. If Wilkinson is first to close, others will likely follow.
The closure of a neighborhood school destabilizes the community. Home values fall, families are less likely to move in, and local businesses lose customers. One closure weakens a neighborhood; repeated closures would reshape Sarasota’s economy…