The Alachua County School Board at an April 29 workshop dispelled rumors that principals have been dismissing teachers to make room for personal hires. The allegations come as changes to school boundaries and school closures are expected to shift teacher assignments across the district.
Last month, the board voted 3-2 to close three elementary schools, citing declining enrollment, state legislation that critics say benefits charter schools over public schools, and a growing school voucher program that is redirecting state dollars to private and charter schools, leaving the district with less funding than in previous years.
Stephen Foster Elementary will close at the end of this school year. Newberry Elementary School was approved last year to reopen as Newberry Community School, a charter, beginning this fall. Williams and Alachua elementary schools will close at the end of the 2027-2028 school year…