BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — The Bradford County School District has two workshops scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23, one of which deals with the rezoning of its elementary schools.
The process precedes the opening of its new Pre-K-6 school, Bradford Elementary, this fall.
The school board will be reviewing student data as well as the current school zones and discuss rezoning options. They will be looking at options that transition Starke Elementary and Lawtey Elementary into Pre-K-6 schools as well.
Bradford Elementary was originally planned to educate students through the seventh grade. Eighth-graders would have gone to Bradford High. Changes in enrollment numbers have led to second thoughts, but there was also the elimination of a gymnasium from the new school project because of its cost. The school will have two covered courts instead.
Without a gymnasium, seventh- and eighth-graders will be staying at Bradford Middle School.
The workshop begins at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom at 501 W. Washington St. in Starke. It is open to the public, and there will be an opportunity for parent and community input.
The public may stay for a second workshop set to begin at 6:30 p.m. During this workshop, the school board will be meeting with Bradford County commissioners to discuss redistricting changes needed following the 2020 census.
County commissioners have discussed the need redraw districts, better balancing the population in each. This will be the first time county and school board officials will be discussing how to proceed.
