Q: What is the latest on new school construction?
A: The two new schools opening this fall, located in Shearwater and Beacon Lake, are coming along beautifully and on schedule. Following the announcement last month of the principals for each school, we are in the process of hiring staff. The positions are advertised internally at first, since we are reducing students at some other schools. Later in the spring, the positions will be opened up to outside candidates. We have outstanding leaders at both schools who will do a great job launching. The schools will open as K–7 schools the first year so that eighth graders can stay at their existing school.Â
For the new school in RiverTown, clearing of the land has finished and site prep has begun. This school is on schedule for an August 2025 opening.
The next step for the schools opening in 2026 in Nocatee and Silverleaf will take place this spring when we begin the process of issuing bonds to pay for the construction. We are so grateful for the local half-cent sales tax (and the visitors and tourists who help pay it) because this helps us fund the construction of all these new schools.
Q: Do you have a legislative update?
A: We are just now [as of interview date of Jan. 16] in the second week of session. School Board member Tony Coleman and I will be traveling to Tallahassee later this week as members of the Florida School Boards Association. This year will be a year of deregulation for education. The Florida Senate has been working hard all summer to find ways to eliminate unnecessary regulation. On the House side, they have two deregulation bills, but they are much less vigorous than the Senate bills. My mission this week is to talk to House members to try to get them to consider the Senate bills. For instance, the House supports the current law, which requires passing End of Course (EOC) exams in Algebra 1 and English Language Arts for 10th graders. The Senate wants to take this requirement out and just require students to pass their regular courses. Our Director of Government Relations for the St. Johns County School District, Logan Lowery, is working hard on our behalf in Tallahassee. There are a number of bills still being filed that we will have to keep an eye on. Also, a lot of times, one issue will be combined with others in a single bill… again, we have to pay close attention.
Q: How has the end of the first semester and beginning of the second semester gone for St. Johns County schools?
A: We had a very successful first semester and an exciting beginning to the second semester with that winter storm hitting on the second day of school. We were carefully watching the timing of the storm and determined that it would hit our area around 4 p.m., which allowed us to dismiss students and staff just one hour early.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at beverly.slough@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
