ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night in favor of a zoning plan for a new school in the Rivertown community, set to open in August.
The decision aligns with what residents wanted, according to District 1 School Board member Beverly Slough.
“We worked really, really hard to make that happen, and that was the result of Plan A,” Slough said. “That’s why we had a unanimous vote tonight, in order to make that the zoning plan for next year.”
In December 2024, the board opted for “Plan A,” which would move all Rivertown students to the new school. Parents have largely supported this approach, as it avoids splitting the community.
The alternative option, which would have divided students among schools, drew less support from residents.
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The new K-8 school, referred to as PP, is expected to reach capacity quickly, potentially before the district can build another school. Slough anticipates that relocatable classrooms may be necessary within the first few years, although not immediately next year.
“We hope not next year, but almost guaranteed the next year after that, when we have the full complement of kids there with K-8,” Slough explained.
The school is designed to eventually transition into a middle school, highlighting the need for additional educational facilities in Rivertown. Slough expressed gratitude for the ability to initially bring all community children under one roof.
“We’re just grateful that we’re able to find a plan to bring all the children in the community and under one roof once one school to begin with, and then as we’re able to build the elementary schools to get the configuration that it was planned to be,” she said.
The new school will open as a K-7 institution and will expand to the full K-8 model the following year.
The school board also approved a survey and timeline for the search for a new superintendent Tuesday night through the consent agenda.
In November 2024, St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson announced he would retire at the end of the school year.