Pressed by a deadline and inspired by fiscal prudence, a sweeping rework of a dozen public school campuses is now Sarasota County Schools’ plan for the future, approved in a special board meeting last week.
The plan, seen for the first time in September, has broad designs to tempt families from charter, private or home options and eliminate more than 3,400 of about 5,600 empty seats in schools mostly in and around the city of Sarasota. How? By demolishing or repurposing buildings, combining grade levels and, in some cases, creating all-new educational offerings.
They also head off the closing of Sarasota’s Wilkinson Elementary, one of several early-years schools with enrollment below optimal levels…