Questions raised over latest Hillsborough school boundary proposal

Hillsborough School Board met again Monday to discuss new school boundaries.

During the workshop, Superintendent Addison Davis presented Scenario 4—a blend of three other proposals provided by WXY Studio, an outside consultant—to board members for feedback.

He said the new proposal focuses on four main areas: capacity and occupancy of each facility, driving distance and walkability for students, creating stability in neighborhoods, and financial responsibility.

The proposal is a multi-year approach and would begin implementation in the 2023-24 school year.

The plan would reduce the number of over- and under-utilized schools from 23 to zero and the number of students potentially affected from 24,000 to just over 15,000.

Some of the changes made in the first year of the new plan would include a complete repurposing of Just Elementary, a partial repurposing of Town and Country Elementary, and a configuration change at Carrollwood K-8.

In addition, the growing number of immigrant students at Town and Country Elementary will be addressed with a Newcomers’ Center.

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Members did not achieve the consensus they had hoped for during Tuesday’s workshop, and many expressed concerns about the proposal.

Board member Lynn Gray brought up House bill 1which, if passed during the upcoming legislature, will entitle all Florida public school-age children to receive a school voucher.

“House Bill 1 will share money with a lot of our parents, and those parents can of course choose to place their students elsewhere, which means we’re going to take a lot of our money that we would have had,” Gray said.

Davis agreed, saying, “House Bill 1 is ahead and will likely cripple public education openly.”

Vice Chairman Henry “Shake” Washington, whose District 5 has the most students affected by Davis’ plan, openly opposed it.

“I want to know how many kids from District 5 are getting better educations because that’s what it’s all about,” Washington said. “It’s not just about moving children. It’s not about money. It’s about students in Hillsborough County being successful.”

He added, “Black and brown students are the ones who are always moved, always, no matter what.”

Despite opposition, Davis reiterated that the board must do something to fix both over- and underutilized schools.

“We have to do something. If we don’t do something, we can’t continue to follow multiple things,” Davis told the board members.

The school district postponed the workshop two weeks to allow for more discussion. Davis said more than 18,000 people attended community meetings on the issue or posted comments on the district website.

No votes were taken this week and it’s unclear if another workshop for board members is planned to seek consensus.

Five community meetings are offered each week for families and staff to review and discuss the latest plan:

• Monday, February 20, 6-7:30 p.m., King High School
• Monday, February 20, 6-7:30 p.m., Mulrennan Middle School
• Wednesday, February 22, 6-7:30 p.m., Webb Middle School
• Thursday, February 23, 6-7:30 p.m., Madison Middle School
• Thursday, February 23, 6-7:30 p.m., Chamberlain High School

The first reading of the proposed rededication is scheduled for a school board meeting at 10am on February 28, at which public comment will be allowed.