In a unanimous 4‑0 vote on Tuesday, the Marion County School Board approved a plan to consolidate Wyomina Park Elementary School into Oakcrest Elementary School starting in the fall of 2027. The decision is part of a broader effort to reduce operational costs and make more efficient use of district facilities.
Board rationale focuses on enrollment stability and facility optimization
Board chair Dr. Sarah James emphasized that the move is not driven by declining enrollment. “We are experiencing at least the same if not growing student enrollment year over year,” she said. While some parts of the county are seeing growth and new schools opening, Wyomina Park has not reached capacity. Repurposing the Wyomina Park building for Bridgeway Academy, an alternative learning program, allows the district to serve more students without building new classrooms.
James added, “Right now we just have a site that isn’t quite full that could take on some more kids with alternative learning and be better utilized, and we have a school very close to it in proximity who has space to take on more students.” The board plans to reassign Wyomina Park staff to other schools, ensuring continuity for students and families.
Emotional impact on longtime staff and community
Longtime Wyomina Park employee Liberty Thurman, who has worked at the school for 22 years, described the decision as “very hard” and noted the deep personal ties she and many families have to the school. “We are a family. We have built a really good close‑knit family at Wyomina. Our administration is awesome. They built a great culture in our school, and it’s gonna be hard to lose that,” she said.
James reassured staff and families that the transition will be handled with care. “Those adults will go to that new campus where those students still get those wonderful relationships, and that is my commitment as a board member,” she affirmed.
Future consolidation plans
The board indicated that Wyomina Park is the first of several consolidations slated for the coming years. Three elementary schools are slated to merge into a single school by 2029 as part of the district’s long‑range plan.
Wyomina Park, which has operated as a year‑round school under a pilot program, will see its final day of instruction on May 26, aligning with the district’s calendar for all Marion County Public Schools.
What this means for families
Parents can expect their children to transition to Oakcrest Elementary, which has sufficient capacity to accommodate the additional students. The district will provide transportation details and support services as the move approaches.
By consolidating under‑filled facilities and expanding alternative learning options, the board aims to preserve quality education while stewarding taxpayer resources responsibly.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
