BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Bradford County School Board went through a first reading of new proposed new elementary school zones in preparation of a public hearing taking place March 13.
Consultant John Gilreath from DRMP returned for the presentation, reminding the board of the data and considerations that went into preparing the proposed map. These included student demographics, school capacity, transportation facilities and potential for future development.
The current zones include a northern zone for Lawtey Elementary, a western zone for Starke Elementary and a southeastern zone for Southside Elementary.
The proposed zones offer a more or less horizontal division of the county into a northern, middle and southern zone.
Currently, the Lawtey zone includes 237 students, Starke has 578 and Southside has 661. Gilreath said these numbers may not match enrollment numbers, because the students may go to out of zone schools, but it does reflect the zone they live in. The district also has students enrolled from Alachua, Clay and Union counties.
In the proposed zones, the numbers shift very little. There are 235 students in the Lawtey zone, 562 students in the Starke zone and 679 at the new Bradford Elementary.
The Monday, March 13, hearing will take place at the district boardroom, 501 W. Washington St. in Starke, at 5:01 p.m. along with a hearing on changes to board policy. The regular monthly meeting will follow at 6 p.m.
