HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The seventh largest school district in the country appears to be a district divided. It's headed back to the drawing board after Hillsborough County Superintendent Addison Davis recommended a fourth school rezoning scenario to the school board earlier this month.
Much like what the district did in January when the community was able to provide feedback on the three different school boundary scenarios, once again it's hosting a handful of meetings to allow the community to express their thoughts on the latest Scenario 4.
In Monday's meeting at King High School, the superintendent maintained scenario 4 is the best option.
"Scenario 4 was based on the community feedback and being able at the same time to be more efficient within our schools," Davis said.
Earlier this month, Davis said Scenario 4 was a hybrid between the three other options presented by consultants. Those scenarios were met with opposition from parents and community members.
This latest option slows down the process by taking a more gradual and transitional approach to some of the changes. Davis said roughly 15,000 students would be impacted by Scenario 4 rather than as many as 24,000 students in some of the previous scenarios.
The plan would reduce the number of overcrowded and under-utilized schools from 23 to 0 and Carrollwood Elementary School would expand to a K-8 school over a three-year period.
School board member Lynn Gray doesn't think Scenario 4 goes far enough in terms of saving the district money. Davis said it would save the district about $12 million annually.
Gray said Scenario 2 would save the district roughly $10 million more each year which will help with the district's bond rating, which in turn creates better interest rates and allows for more funds to pay teachers and enhance the student experience.
Parents can review this fourth plan on the district’s website.
During Monday's meeting, some parent's voiced concerns over specific issues.
"I'm concerned about how the redistricting is going to effect my daughter's IB program." David Middlebrook, a parent of a King High School student, said.
Five community meetings are scheduled where community members can offer feedback on Scenario 4.
Monday, Feb. 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: King High School in Tampa and Mulrennan Middle School in Valrico
Wednesday, Feb. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Webb Middle School in Tampa
Thursday, Feb. 23, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.: Madison Middle School in Tampa and Chamberlain High School in Tampa
The school board is slated to make its final decision on March 9.