Orange County (Fla.) district proposes new uses for 7 schools set to close

The Orange County (Florida) district has released preliminary plans for the seven schools that could be closed because of low enrollment.

Central Florida Public Media reports that the proposal calls for some schools to be converted into a pediatric health facility, a student welcome center, and a space for warehousing and facilities services. Others would be used for professional development and training.

The school board voted last month to allow the district to begin the rezoning process in the communities surrounding the seven schools that could be closed.

At that meeting, board members emphasized that the changes were needed because of low enrollment and a $41 million budget shortfall.

Members pointed to factors like a low birth rate, aging population, and state’s voucher program as reasons why fewer students are enrolling.

Union Park Middle School and Bonneville, Chickasaw, Eccleston, Meadow Woods, McCoy and Orlo Vista elementary schools are the campuses to close. The schools were picked because of their low enrollment, projections that show they’ll lose more students in the next 10 years, and their proximity to other schools that have room for more students.

Public schools in Florida are increasingly under pressure to repurpose schools that have low enrollment or land that isn’t being used. New Florida laws make it easier for this land to be converted into charter schools.

A bill introduced in the Florida legislature would make it even easier for these conversions to take place.

SB 824 would require a school district to offer vacant land to charter school operators within the district before other parties.