PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — The vote on the Putnam County School District’s revitalization plan has passed by a vote of 3-2.
Three of the biggest concerns were the closings of Jenkins Middle School, Melrose Elementary, and E.H. Miller. Melrose will now remain open, but E.H Miller and Jenkins Middle School are among the four schools that will close.
E.H. Miller is the only school in the district with specialized classes for students with special needs. Students of E.H. Miller will now head to Mellon Elementary and be separated to accommodate their needs.
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Desiree Atkins is the mother of 13-year-old Dalton Atkins, who has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. With the passing vote, she wants to know her child is safe.
“The doorways will need to be widened to accommodate both wheelchairs and hospital beds. There needs to be a restroom and sink added to the classroom,” Desiree Atkins said. “We need to make sure that in the event of an active shooter situation that those students are able to get to shelter.”
The revised plan will bring in a K-6 and 7-12 configuration while closing Miller Middle School, E.H. Miller, Jenkins Middle School, and C.L. Overturf, Jr. 6th Grade Center. Students will merge with other schools and relocate to other facilities.
Superintendent Rick Surrency said phase 1 is about receiving funds in a span of two to three years while closing those schools. Phase 2 would build three new high schools in a similar timespan. Phase 3 would be to build six elementary schools.
“They know and we know there will be pain and discomfort in the first few years, but I think the outcome, the prize at the end, is that we’re going to have all brand-new schools, and that’s going to make our district better,” Surrency said.
As the merger combines seventh graders and 12th graders, Surrency understands concerns and said students will be separated throughout campuses.
“It’s going to help the junior high kids because they can easily make that transition in the high school without having to leave a middle school and then go to a high school,” Surrency said.
Surrency said he’s ready to get started as soon as tomorrow with the passing. Officials said they will use the closed buildings for different purposes in the future.
Cox Media Group
