Q: What’s the latest on the school under construction in RiverTown?
A: On Dec. 13, we had the “topping off” of the new school in RiverTown, which is now about 60 percent complete. It was a great celebration and well attended. In conjunction with the construction, we’re working on zoning. The vast majority of RiverTown families wanted RiverTown to be zoned together, but at first we didn’t think it was possible. We went back to the drawing board and realized that since this new school will open as a K – 7 the first year, it could happen. It will cause us to accelerate the building of the first of two elementary schools that are planned for RiverTown. This first elementary school will likely open as a primary school (K – 3) with grades four through eight remaining at School “PP” (because at first, we won’t have enough middle school students to make it a viable middle school). We have not done this before, but it makes sense and will keep the community together.
We voted on Dec. 12 for the advertisement for this zoning. It starts the 30- day clock and we plan to vote officially on the zoning at our Jan. 14 school board meeting.
Superintendent Tim Forson has named Jessley Hathaway, current principal of Osceola Elementary School, as the new school’s principal. In January, the process of community meetings to determine the school culture, name, mascot, and colors will start.
Q: Can you share the latest information on the search for a new superintendent for St. Johns County Schools?
A: We have begun in earnest our selection process for Tim Forson’s replacement. We have met two times with our consultant from the Florida School Boards Association (who is assisting us with the search). It was clear to us that there have already been inquiries for this position. The next time we will meet will be Jan. 14, when we will set the timeline for the search. There will be multiple opportunities for community input. The consultant is developing questions now tailored to different groups such as families, business leaders, and stakeholders, to get as much information as possible regarding their points of view on what they’d like to see in a superintendent. Our goal is to have the new superintendent selected in June.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 1?
A: We had our Academy Showcase on Dec. 11 at World Golf Village and it was very exciting. In January, there will be a Middle School Blitz, where representatives from the academies will visit all the middle and K – 8 schools to share their offerings and the application process with the students. The deadline application for all academies for next school year is Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. Applications are accepted online on the student’s HAC account; visit https://cte.stjohns.k12.fl.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/23-24-Frequently-Asked-Questions-Programs-of-Choice.pdf for more information.
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.
