The plan to rezone Wyomina Park Elementary School for 2026-27, complete the school’s rezoning and relocate Bridgeway Academy, and expand Fordham to include a 3rd- through 5th-grade magnet program for the 2027-28, were scraped from the district’s Future-Focused Operations Plan until more discussions can be held with the community.
The vote was unanimous amongst board members at their school board meeting held Aug. 11 after 11 men and women, some of whom were teachers, strongly opposed the proposal.
Board Chair Sarah James made the amended motion that was accepted by the elected officials.
Two years ago, Wyomina Park Elementary became the first Marion County school to operate year round after the state legislature approved a law introducing a pilot program designed to test year-round schools in Florida.
At the time, Marion County was one of three school districts statewide, Alachua and Brevard Counties were the other two, selected to participate in the five-year trial. The school continues to be a year round school.
Future-Focused Operations Plan
Under the heading “Effect of Action/Results” on the school board agenda highlighting the topic, it states “Approval allows the superintendent to operationalize this plan, which establishes a roadmap for facility modernization, campus optimization, deferred maintenance reduction, operational efficiencies, and improved educational opportunities while positioning the District to pursue future funding sources and maximize taxpayer investments.”
The district’s “Future-Focused Operations Plan” outlines different goals school officials would like to see accomplished from the 2026-27 to the 2030-31 school year.
Some examples of the plan are, rezoning Wyomina Park students for 2026-27 and balancing enrollment at middle schools for 2027-28; relocate Bridgeway students to Wyomina Park campus 2027-28 and begin constructing new Booster Stadium design; for 2028-29, open the replacement Belleview Elementary campus to combine with Belleview-Santos Elementary (reduce the second campus), and demolition of old facilities at Lake Weir Middle; 2029-30, open new north-end elementary school, combining Sparr, Anthony, and Reddick-Collier Elementary (reduce third and fourth campus), begin construction on replacement of Dunnellon Middle and High schools, and new central office to include school board meeting place; and 2030-31, build new wing for Maplewood Elementary to eliminate portable usage and building upgrades for Fort King Middle School.
Under the plan, school officials said it would save “$150 million in deferred maintenance costs, save roughly $2 million in operating expenses each year compounding annually,” and “reduce transportation costs through improved routing.”
Opposing the plan
Those who spoke at the meeting told board members that the school is embraced by the community, has improved its letter grade, received an award for improved attendance, is hailed as a landmark institution, is home to staff willing to go the extra mile for students and has generational ties to the school.
Several speakers said the children are loved by everyone, and they, referring to families, children, the staff and the community, just want a chance to be successful like other schools.
Some said they had no idea that the school was picked for rezoning, and felt the choice was unfair to them.
Similar to other schools facing the same fate, the speakers told board members they had a right to be heard, and wanted a fair shot at keeping their school.
Before the meeting, the group, joined by family, friends and supporters, said a prayer. Some of them signed the sheet to speak and entered the building for the meeting that began at 5:30 p.m.
Board discussion
When it was time for the board to make their feelings known, District 1 representative Allison Campbell said her constituents include Wyomina Park Elementary and Bridgeway Academy.
She suggests a solution to the issue could be to move Bridgeway Academy to one of two Belleview elementary schools expected to merge according to the plan. District officials said that thought was discussed but could not work due to cost and transportation.
Nancy Thrower wanted to table the plan as she felt the community and the school staff were blindsided by the news.
Rev. Eric Cummings, a third board member, said communication was his biggest issue. Like Thrower, he was in favor of tabling the item to get more input from the community and those employed at the school.
Lori Conard, a fourth member, said while she sympathizes with the speakers, this is not an easy decision. She said Ocala/Marion County has changed and is growing. She said she supports the plan.
James proposed they move forward with the plan and strike Wyomina Park Elementary rezoning, relocate Bridgeway and expand Fordham to include a 3rd- through 5th-grade magnet program from the vote. She said they could revisit the topic with community meetings.
Board members agreed.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Wyomina Park Elementary rezoning on hold for now in Marion County
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner | USA TODAY Network
