The City of Newberry threatened last month to delay Oak View Middle School’s expansion unless the Alachua County School District agreed to a development review tied to the addition of portables on the campus.
In a letter to the Alachua County School Board and district superintendent, Newberry Mayor Tim Marden requested a traffic study, enrollment projections and utility connection applications, warning the expansion must be approved by the city if district leaders want the project completed by the start of the 2026-27 school year.
Interim Superintendent Kamala Patton pushed back on much of Marden’s request in a May 15 letter, citing a state statute that exempts school districts from seeking local government approval for the “placement of temporary or portable classroom facilities.” She also argued that a traffic impact study is not standard when a project’s traffic effect is minimal, which she said a prior assessment by district professionals confirmed, and instead asked the city to conduct a hazardous walking conditions study for a two-mile walk zone around the school.
In her response, Patton said the district’s design team has been in contact with the city since February to address electrical and wastewater logistics.
The portables are expected to serve about 200 additional students but can accommodate up to 400, allowing room for future growth.
“This School Board is committed to continuing to be a strong partner to the City of Newberry. We understand the challenges that come with a growing city, and it is our unique challenge — and great privilege — to serve the children of this growing community,” she wrote.
She expects the expanded Oak View campus to open on schedule this fall.
Oak View’s expansion comes as Newberry Elementary School transitions to a charter next school year. Its campus is one of three expansions expected in the coming years: Mebane Middle School will become pre-K-8 and Lincoln Middle School will become K-8, both expected to open in fall 2028 and absorb students displaced by the closure of Alachua and Williams elementary schools.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Newberry threatens to delay Oak View Middle School expansion
Reporting by Chelsea Long, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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