- The Alachua County School Board favored option D which proposes closing Stephen Foster and Joseph Williams Elementary schools and rezoning others.
- The plan includes keeping Marjorie K. Rawlings Elementary open, merging Irby Elementary with Mebane Middle, and moving Foster’s STEM program to Metcalfe Elementary.
- High school rezoning under option D would reduce Buchholz capacity from 115% to 101% and increase Eastside capacity from 68% to 86%.
- Board members and public commenters expressed mixed views, with some opposing closures due to community impact and legacy concerns.
The School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) whittled down school closings and consolidations during a regular meeting on Tuesday, inching closer to a final vote for district rezoning on March 12.
Alachua County Public Schools staff presented amended A, B, C and D zoning scenarios as part of the “Our Schools – Future Ready” planning initiative and incorporated updates requested by the board members during a workshop last month.
For elementary schools, the board leaned in favor of amended option D, which marks Stephen Foster Elementary and Joseph Williams Elementary for closure, keeps Marjorie K. Rawlings Elementary open and combines Alachua and Irby Elementary’s with Mebane Middle School…