4-minute read
As part of its Central Region rezoning process, Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) is proposing to close Crystal Lake Middle School and reassign students. Over 100 community members turned out to the meeting to learn more and voice concerns over the proposal.
District leaders said the proposed closure is due to declining enrollment at Crystal Lake, which has a capacity of 1,300 students but currently only serves about 753, leaving hundreds of available seats. Superintendent Fred Heid attributed declining enrollment rates to a coinciding decline in Crystal Lake’s academic standing.
“If a school falls below 80% of its enrollment, I can’t adequately fund the school. All schools are funded based off the number of students who attend that particular school,” said Heid during the meeting. “So, an under-enrolled school means that either two things have to happen: either the district has to supplement the school financially, which means that we’re taking away dollars from other schools, which is not fair, or we can’t offer the same number of programs and opportunities.”
Jennifer Farrell, assistant director of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and demography, presented potential reassignment options involving Sleepy Hill Middle School, Southwest Middle School, Lake Gibson Middle School, Stambaugh Middle School, and Tenoroc High School under a proposed middle-senior high model. District leaders emphasized that proposed boundary changes remain under consideration and are subject to change based on data analysis and community feedback.
Community raises concerns
Attendees pressed officials during a question-and-answer portion, with a handful speaking out against the proposal to close Crystal Lake, while others cited dissatisfaction with the responses from leaders.
Among them was Kara Beharry, 44, who shared her frustrations with the town hall meeting as a parent whose child attends Crystal Lake.
“What I was hearing was ‘if you have a concern or a question, we’re open to it’ and then I was hearing a shutdown [from district leaders] of ‘no, we’re not doing that, we’re not talking about this’,” said Beharry. “If you’re opening up the floor to people to state their opinions and concerns, you should listen, because that’s kind of your job.”
Beharry, who had additionally been concerned about overcrowded buses, said she was “50/50” on the proposal, sharing, “As far as the convenience, if something happens, I’m right here. I don’t have to drive across town.”
District leaders outlined a timeline that included additional opportunities for public feedback ahead of a Jan. 26, 2027, vote, leaving community members with a few more chances to weigh in on the future of Crystal Lake Middle School.
In a statement, Heid shared, “Ultimately, our goal is to make an informed decision that puts students first, expands educational opportunities, and continues to support the Crystal Lake community. We are committed to keeping families informed as this process moves forward.”
PCPS’s assurances for staff and parents
Heid reassured parents that Crystal Lake Middle School would maintain its current attendance boundaries for the 2026-2027 school year, noting that the closure, if approved, may not even take effect until the 2028-2029 school year.
Crystal Lake staff were also assured that they would receive placements at other schools and that transitions would follow current collective bargaining agreements. Brian Warren, chief of labor and employee relations, cited during the meeting that, “Available vacancies, individual circumstances, home location and teaching certifications would guide placement efforts.”
If approved, the district proposed partnering with a non-profit organization to repurpose Crystal Lake as a community resource center. Heid cited poverty levels in the area being a driving force for the decision, stating that 67% of the surrounding community falls under the ALICE designation, a term coined by United Way of Florida, a potential non-profit partner.
ALICE, which stands for ‘Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed’, describes households living above the federal poverty level but below the level needed to afford basic living expenses.
“Our goal is not to take opportunities away from the Crystal Lake community. It is to ensure that students have access to more opportunities, stronger academic support, and the resources necessary to succeed. We also recognize the importance of the school to the surrounding community, which is why we are exploring ways the facility can continue serving local children and families,” said Heid in a statement.
Upcoming Dates
- Nov. 12: All-Regions Virtual Rezoning Town Hall
- Nov. 30: Survey for feedback closes
- Dec. 8: Town hall meeting on middle school rezoning plans
- January 26: Board will vote on the Crystal Lake proposal
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