St. Johns County School Board approves attendance zone changes for advertisement

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Johns County Schools is one step closer to a solution for its overcrowded schools.

This morning, the School Board approved advertising several ‘attendance zone’ changes.

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Action News Jax Courtney Cole explains which options will no longer be considered as the process moves forward.

“As a system, we look to be right for students at each and every school. So, no matter what school someone is assigned to, that it provides the same level of consistency and expectation and opportunity. So, no matter where a child ultimately ends up being assigned for attendance, that we have great confidence in our teachers and our school leaders,” said St. Johns County Superintendent Tim Forson.

Forson, along with the school board, were presented with nine options today – aimed at balancing out the number of children in schools in the Northwestern and Northeastern parts of the county.

“It is incredibly difficult to leave a school and even harder to re-enter a school that you once attended,” one concerned parent told the school board.

About a dozen parents and citizens showed up to this morning’s special school board meeting — in-person and virtually — to let their voices be heard.

“From a psychological and well-being standpoint for the children, as well as the families, I don’t think that’s in the best interest of St. Johns County,” another St. Johns County Resident said.

The school board ultimately decided to approve advertising all of the options, except for two of them: Option 4 and Option 6.

Here’s a breakdown of all of the Attendance Zoning Options:

Approved Attendance Zones for Advertisement:

Northwest

Option 1: Freedom Crossing Academy to Patriot Oaks Academy

• Proposes moving students in the Oakridge Landing and Durbin Creek Estates communities from Freedom Crossing Academy to Patriot Oaks Academy

Option 2: Freedom Crossing Academy to Cunningham Creek Elementary and Switzerland Point Middle

• Proposes moving students in a portion of Rivertown communities from Freedom Crossing Academy to Cunningham Creek Elementary and Switzerland Point Middle

Here are the communities that would be impacted: Arbors, Enclaves, Groves, Orchards, High Pointe, Manor, Preserve.

Option 3: Freedom Crossing Academy to Patriot Oaks Academy

• Proposes moving students in the Middlebourne community to Patriot Oaks Academy.

*Note: The school board wants to get this re-zone ahead of families moving in to reduce the amount of growth pressure as new growth continues.

Option 5: Hickory Creek Elementary to Julington Creek Elementary

• Proposes moving students in a portion of Julington Creek Plantation and Fruit Cove Road areas from Hickory Creek Elementary to Julington Creek Elementary.

Option 7: Palencia Elementary/Pacetti Bay Middle to Liberty Pines Academy

• Proposes moving students in Sandy Creek community from Palencia Elementary and Pancetti Bay Middle to Liberty Pines Academy.

Option 8: Palencia Elementary/Pancetti Bay Middle/NHS to Crookshank Elementary/Sebastian Middle/SAHS

• Proposes moving students in Cordova Palms community from Palencia Elementary/Pancetti Bay Middle/NHS to Crookshank Elementary/Sebastian Middle/SAHS.

*Note: Like Option 3, the school board wants to get this re-zone ahead of families moving in to reduce the amount of growth pressure as new growth continues.

Northeast:

Option 9: Ocean Palms Elementary/Landrum Middle to Liberty Pines Academy

• Proposes moving students in a portion of Twin Creeks DRI to Liberty Pines Academy.

Removed Attendance Zones:

Option 4: Freedom Crossing Academy to Patriot Oaks

• Proposes moving students in Julington Lakes from Freedom Crossing Academy to Patriot Oaks Academy.

Option 6: Hickory Creek Elementary to Cunningham Creek Elementary

• proposes moving students in River Oaks Plantation from Hickory Creek Elementary to Cunningham Creek Elementary.

Another option the St. Johns County School Board was considering is placing students in a new school — that was referred to as K8NN.

The school board suspended the proposal because of how much the new school would cost.

The district told Action News Jax Courtney Cole the bid was rejected by the School Board during a regular school board meeting on April 12th. There was a $45M construction budget for NN, with varying bids.

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Ultimately, parents just want decisions to be made that will be the least disruptive to their children’s health, happiness and development.

“I ask you to consider a long-term view of our area, and put our kids at risk of leaving a school, going to a new school and then going right back to where we started,” a concerned citizen expressed.

If you weren’t able to make the meeting today, you will have three more opportunities to share your thoughts and concerns with the St. Johns County School Board. Three more meetings will happen in May, before a final vote on May 31.

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