By Chris Wilson

The School Board of Alachua County is seeking public input on the possible rezoning of area schools. Students at all grade levels throughout west Gainesville, Jonesville and Newberry can be impacted by the proposed alternatives to the current school zones.

Any students who live in areas where a zone change could be made would be grandfathered into their current (2007-08) school, as long as they have transportation.

These changes could impact up to 900 high school students, 200 middle school students and the entire fifth grade at Newberry Elementary.

Newberry Elementary Fifth Grade

The fifth grade at Newberry Elementary could be moved to nearby Oak View Middle School under the proposed changes. Recent public meetings did not address the Newberry fifth grade proposal.

The School Board will hold a special public forum on the Newberry fifth grade proposal on Monday, January 14, 6:30 p.m., at Oak View Middle School (1203 SW 250 St. in Newberry).

Newberry Elementary currently operates at 96 percent of its capacity, while Oak View Middle School operates at just 56 percent of its capacity.

The School Board also has discussed building a new elementary school in Jonesville, which would create more room at several west Gainesville elementary schools and at Newberry Elementary.

“The change at Newberry Elementary would provide some time for us, until a new school can be built,” says Alachua County superintendent Dr. Dan Boyd.

Fort Clarke Middle School

The only rezoning being discussed at the middle school level, aside from sending the Newberry fifth graders to Oak View, would send Fort Clarke Middle School-zoned students from several west Gainesville neighborhoods to Westwood Middle School.

The neighborhoods being discussed for a shift are in the Millhopper area and actually are closer in proximity to Westwood. The area is bordered on the north by NW 68th Ave, on the south by NW 53rd Ave., on the west by NW 43rd St. and on the east by Hwy. 441/NW 34th St. extension. The area includes Northwood Pines, Northwood Oaks, Pine Ridge, Hampton Court Apartments, Rosemont, Mile Run, Union Square, Appletree, Vista Palms, Sutters Landing and Northpointe Villas Apartments.

Fort Clarke currently is operating at its capacity, but the school is expected to exceed capacity by approximately 50 students in 2008-09.

If the proposed zone changes are adopted, Fort Clarke would lose approximately 170 students to provide for future growth. In addition, Westwood would have a net gain of approximately 140 students.

Proposed High School Changes

The most impact from the proposed school zone changes would be felt at the high school level, where the most students will be impacted by any changes.

Currently, Buchholz High (BHS), which is the only “A” graded high school in Gainesville, is approximately 231 students over capacity. Both Gainesville and Eastside received “C” grades for the 2006-07 school year and “D” grades for the previous school year.

As of November 14, 2007, BHS had 2,285 students. In addition, the School Board anticipates further growth at the west Gainesville high school because of continued development on the westside.

Both Eastside and Gainesville high schools are operating under capacity. Gainesville has room for about 104 new students, while Eastside can handle about 226 additional students. According to School Board figures, minimal growth is expected at the two schools in the near future.

Another consideration that is factoring into the proposal is the socioeconomic population of the three high schools. Currently, 19 percent of BHS students receive free or reduced price lunches, while 32- and 43-percent of Gainesville and Eastside students, respectively, get free or reduced lunches.

Under some of the proposed changes, BHS would have up to 33 percent of students who receive free or reduced lunch, while there would be 24 and 38 percent at Gainesville and Eastside, respectively.

There are two areas being considered for a change from a current Buchholz High zone to either Gainesville or Eastside.

One area that is currently zoned for BHS that could be moved to one of the other two schools is bordered on the north by SW 24th Ave., on the south by Archer Rd., on the west by SW 122nd St. and on the east by Tower Rd, including (but not limited to) the communities of Haile Plantation, Biltmore, Wilds Plantation, Windward Meadows, Grand View Estates, Valwood, Kenwood, Hickory Forest, Stillwind and Southgate.

The other area being considered for a change from Buchholz to Gainesville or Eastside is bordered on the north by NW 30th Pl., on the south by NW 8th Ave., on the west by NW 43rd. St. and on the east by NW 34th St., including Lenox, Westmoreland Estates, Hidden Creek and Rock Creek.

Other areas of Gainesville to the south and east are being proposed as possibilities to move students from Gainesville or Eastside to Buchholz.

Local resdients who attended the first public input session held at Westwood Middle School in early December noted that they invested in their properties so that their children could attend Buchholz High. In addition, several residents said their students now live within walking distance of Buchholz High and were not able to walk to either of the other two high schools.

Some accused the school board of wanting to improve the FCAT scores at both Eastside and Gainesville by sending students from the “A” school.

However, many parents also had suggestions for School Board members, including moving Buchholz’ two magnet programs  to one of the other high schools.

The last of three scheduled public input meetings on the issue was held on January 7 at Kanapaha Middle School.

If you would like the School Board to have your input, you can send an e-mail to zoninginput@sbac.edu.

For more information, visit www.sbac.edu and click on the “Notice of Potential Zoning Changes”?button at the top of the home page.