Q: Do you have an update on Pine Island Academy and the final completion of construction?
A: There are still some finishing touches to be made at Pine Island Academy as we are experiencing supply chain slow downs; however, at Pine Island Academy and our other schools, even with all the distractions in the world, when you close the doors of the schools and the kids are inside learning and thriving and the teachers are teaching — everything is moving forward the way the school district expects it to.
Q: Are there any job opportunities with the St. Johns County School District?
A: The school district is hiring. We have some critical need positions like in transportation (bus drivers and bus aides), food service, and paraprofessionals. The well known labor shortages, in addition to the district’s 8 percent growth this year and the return of 10,000 district learners to brick and mortar schools, are all contributing to our employment needs. We expect we will be in a constant hiring cycle this year.
Q: Do you have an update on High School III?
A: The construction is moving along, but there are supply shortages being experienced. The principal is currently holding community meetings and I expect the school board will be selecting this school’s name in the next couple of months.
Q: Do you have anything else to share with District 4?
A: We have started moving to the new standards — called BEST — and have incorporated them into our student progression plans. We are looking forward to the elimination of the high stakes testing of FSA (per Gov. Ron DeSantis) and moving to a more progress monitoring process.
Q: How can our readers contact you?
A: They can email me at kelly.barrera@stjohns.k12.fl.us or call me at (904) 547-7510.
