SBAC agenda shows staff will not recommend PreK-4 option for Irby Elementary
BY JENNIFER CABRERA
ALACHUA, Fla. – A presentation posted to the agenda of tonight’s School Board of Alachua County meeting indicates that staff will not recommend the PreK-4 option for Irby Elementary that was favored by a 3-2 majority of the school board at a workshop last week.
At the workshop, the board narrowly favored a plan in which all PreK-4 students zoned for Alachua schools would attend Irby Elementary, and all students in the 5th-8th grades would attend Mebane. The option favored by the other two board members is also shown in the presentation: PreK-5 students who live south of U.S. Hwy 441 (except for Turkey Creek and nearby neighborhoods) would attend Irby, while all students north of 441 and in Turkey Creek would attend a PreK-8 at Mebane.
The presentation, which can be viewed here, estimates that 505 students (not including PreK) would attend an Irby PreK-4, close to the school’s capacity of 525. A concurrency review indicates that already-approved developments would generate an additional 240 students in the coming years. An additional concern is that Mebane would only have an estimated 483 students under that plan, which would be 61% of capacity and would leave space that could be claimed by a charter school.
The presentation states that the PreK-4 plan for Irby includes increased traffic, and a traffic study and potential roadway improvements will be required. The presentation also says that adding a new building would eliminate a field that is currently used for physical education and play space, and there are additional layout concerns.
The renovations and new building at Mebane are estimated to cost $65 million, while the new Irby building is estimated at $47 million, along with the $31 million Mebane renovation, so the PreK-4 Irby option would cost $13 million more. Also, the projected enrollment of Irby would be 865 students (including PreK), 225% larger than the current enrollment; the presentation states that this will make Irby the largest elementary school in Alachua County.
Some staff members at Irby Elementary have corresponded with school board members for months, arguing that the school can handle the increased number of students. They argue that Talbot Elementary is built on the same blueprint, and Irby has space for a new wing, similar to the one at Talbot.
The discussion is currently scheduled as the last item on the agenda for tonight’s school board meeting. Anybody who wants to provide public comment must sign up before the meeting starts (6 p.m.), either with a paper form or online.
Very quietly hidden in the notes is likely the biggest concern: “Mebane would only have an estimated 483 students under that plan, which would be 61% of capacity and would leave space that could be claimed by a charter school.” Seems they’re more worried about losing space than they are about losing students. I thought the goal was to educate every child?
Just wanted to make sure no one missed that. I’m sure there are other Certain reasons not being mentioned in an open forum — especially given the socioeconomic disparity between north and south of 441 that some have issues with as well.
I remember days past playing ball in the ballpark near the ‘bottom’ at Alachua Elementary. I’m sure things aren’t the way they used to be, but back then, people paid particular attention to where they parked their vehicles.
Everything is a racket it seems.
“The renovations and new building at Mebane are estimated to cost $65 million, while the new Irby building is estimated at $47 million, along with the $31 million Mebane renovation”
These construction numbers are completely insane. This is one of many reasons why government schooling has failed and cannot compete with charter and private in the long term.