Brevard school board discusses proposed school closures

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — School board members met again Tuesday evening to talk about the Brevard County School District's plans to close five schools.

The schools in question are Gardendale, Sea Park and South Lake elementary schools, as well as Clearlake Middle School.

Parents have also recommended Pinewood Elementary in hopes that closing it would save South Lake.

Freedom 7 Elementary in Cocoa Beach was up for consideration, but school board members decided against it to keep the international baccalaureate program intact.

The superintendent proposed shutting down the schools after voters rejected a half-cent sales-tax increase last month. Now the Brevard School District is trying to fill an anticipated $30-million gap in the capital budget for the 2012-2013 school year.

Each of the closures could save the district an additional $800,000. But even if the board approves the closures, the district will seek more cost savings.

The school board is expected to make a decision on the closures in January so new school boundaries can be put in place.

Another public meeting will be held in January before a decision is made.

WFTV