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School boundaries vote set for today

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: November 15, 2009

Updated: 11/17/2009 11:04 am

LAND O' LAKES - The Pasco County School Board faces a controversial vote today when it is scheduled to make the final determination on which students will attend two new schools opening in August.

Several parents and students opposed to proposed attendance boundaries for Fivay High School and a yet-to-be-named elementary school spoke at a Nov. 3 board meeting, urging board members to reject or modify a boundary committee's recommendation.

The board gave initial approval to the boundaries at that meeting, but left open the possibility changes could be made when the final vote is taken. The board made no promises, though.

The board meets at 6 p.m. in building No. 3 at 7205 Land O' Lakes Blvd.

Three attendance boundary recommendations from three committees are before the board. Two of the proposals set boundaries for Fivay High School, under construction off State Road 52 in northwest Pasco, and what is now referred to as Elementary S, being built south of State Road 54 between Odessa and Trinity.

The third proposal, which drew no comments at the last meeting, makes changes to middle school boundaries in west Pasco. Those changes are happening to improve school feeder patterns and better balance the school populations.

Most of the complaints Nov. 3 dealt with two issues.

The Fivay High proposal calls for Suncoast Lakes, a neighborhood south of S.R. 52, to be rezoned from River Ridge High to Hudson High, a D school. Residents say they want students to remain at River Ridge.

Also, parents from Oakstead Elementary said their crowded school isn't getting enough relief with the opening of Elementary S. They want the board to better balance the student populations of the schools that will be sending students to Elementary S. The other schools are Trinity Elementary and Longleaf Elementary.

Oakstead could remain more than 200 students over its capacity of 762, even after Elementary S opens. Oakstead now has 1,035 students.

Committees of parents, principals and other school district officials drew the proposed boundaries, but the school board has the final say.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 259-7065.

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