MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – Growth and evolution mean change.
Marion County’s population increase means accommodating more students. Two new elementary schools will open at the start of the 2025-26 school year, affecting seven other elementary schools.
A community meeting to address rezoning and attendance boundaries in southwest Marion County, and parents’ concerns was held the evening of Sept. 16, 2024, at Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School. This was the second meeting, with a previous discussion at Sunrise Elementary School on Sept. 12.
“We’re trying to give information. The schools are overcrowded in the area, so that’s why we’re building the two new schools to make a better educational experience for all students,” said Stephen Ayres, Director of School Choice, Student Assignments, and Records for Marion County Public Schools (MCPS). “The two new schools will be in the Winding Oaks area and then in the Marion Oaks area to alleviate the overcrowding and the projected growth.”
A MCPS work session to discuss the suggested attendance boundaries for MCPS will take place on October 17, 2024, at 9 a.m. Additionally, a public hearing and vote on the proposed boundaries for Elementary W and X is set for November 12, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Both events will occur at the Marion County School Board Administrative Office.
“Everybody here was mailed a letter. So, they were notified that the zoning was going to be changed, they made phone calls, and we’ve had a great turnout tonight,” said Lori Conrad, MCPS District 2. “They did the overview and now the parents will be able to go the maps and see how they’ll be affected. The hardest part of this will be the kids who’ve been here all the way through fourth grade and will make the move for fifth grade. At least for me that will be the biggest challenge.”
Seven schools will be impacted by the rezoning. The affected schools include:
- Belleview Elementary School
- Belleview Santos Elementary School
- Hammett Bowen Jr. Elementary School
- Legacy Elementary School
- Marion Oaks Elementary School
- Saddlewood Elementary School
- Sunrise Elementary School
“I think having additional schools will be a very good opportunity for this area,” said Dr. Diane Gullett, MCPS superintendent. “I think it’s necessary. We need to be able to provide the safest schools possible and having new schools so we’re not as overcrowded is a critical part of it.”
The Marion County School Board is also collecting public input online.
“I’ve heard that the parents have been very happy with the website,” said Conrad.
Parents can access the district’s rezoning webpage for more information.