TAMPA, Fla. — As Hillsborough County students head back to school following winter break, many will be in overcrowded classrooms and under-utilized buildings.
Hillsborough County Public Schools is currently considering changing boundary lines in an effort to address those issues, but a change could impact up to 24,000 students and where they attend school next year.
Last year, the district sent a note to parents outlining the problem. In the email, Superintendent Addison Davis pointed out that 24% of the schools are overcrowded, while 44% do not have enough students.
The district is also considering completely repurposing 12 schools, potentially changing them to become things like early learning centers or even teacher housing.
To address these concerns, the district is proposing three different scenarios that leaders say will help solve problems related to overcrowding and under-utilization through utilization extremes, facility optimization and "maximal repurposing."
The district released an interactive tool to see how your child could be affected under each proposal.
Visit the website here: www.hcps-boundary.org.
The following schools have been identified for possible repurposing:
- Adams Middle School
- Chamberlain High School
- Cleveland Elementary School
- Greco Middle School
- Jennings Middle School
- Just Elementary School
- Kimbell Elementary School
- Madison Middle School
- McLane Middle School
- Monroe Middle School
- Morgan Woods Elementary School
- Smith Middle School
Beginning this week, the district will hold 10 in-person community meetings where families, staff, and others to view the boundary scenarios in person and provide online feedback.
The first ones will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Middleton and Plant City High Schools.
The School Board will also discuss the possibilities at a workshop on Jan. 31. The board is expected to vote on a decision in late February. The superintendent says the change could save the district $150 million and would not impact employment.
Any approved change would take effect for the 2023-2024 school year.