After a nearly five-hour meeting, the Alachua County School Board on March 12 voted 3-2 to move forward with the closure of at least three schools over the next three years as part of a districtwide rezoning plan.
Stephen Foster Elementary will close at the end of this school year, while Williams and Alachua elementary schools will close at the end of the 2027-2028 school year.
Residents were visibly upset by the board’s decision, accusing the majority of ignoring community concerns. During public comment, many urged the board to postpone the final vote to allow more time to engage affected communities and explore alternative solutions to the district’s challenges…