ACPS to begin elementary school spot rezoning

Terwilliger Elementary School
Terwilliger Elementary School
Courtesy of Alachua County Public Schools

Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) will begin a “spot rezoning” process to reduce overcrowding at three local elementary schools. 

Chiles, Hidden Oak and Meadowbrook are over capacity and a new development near those schools will add to the issue. Meanwhile, space is available at the new Terwilliger Elementary School campus, which opened in 2020. 

Spot rezoning addresses overcrowding and under-enrollment by revising each school’s attendance zone. The new attendance zones will take effect in the upcoming school year (2023-2024). 

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This isn’t the first time the district has done spot zoning. For example, last year, neighborhoods zoned for an overcrowded Idylwild Elementary School were rezoned to the current school year’s revitalized Metcalfe Elementary School campus.    

All district schools will undergo a comprehensive rezoning later this year. However, the neighborhoods impacted by this year’s spot rezoning will not be included in the comprehensive rezoning.  

The School Board will hold a workshop on spot rezoning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 8, at the Alachua County Public Schools District Office (620 E. University Ave.). The Board is expected to discuss potential criteria for redrawing attendance zones, a timeline and other issues.  

The district plans to hold special community meetings during the process to share information and gather public input. Future School Board meetings will include opportunities for citizens to offer comments. They can also provide input through email at spotrezoning@gm.sbac.edu.  

A spot rezoning website is under development and will be regularly updated. It will include a schedule of public meetings related to spot rezoning and other information.   

Maps will not be drawn until after the public has provided input. But any map(s) that are developed will also be posted on that site. A link will be shared as soon as the website is available.  

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