Manatee County School Board plans for new high school by 2018

While some schools will be closing throughout Manatee County, some are in the planning stages of being built.

After carefully reviewing the Long Range Master Plan presented by consultant DeJONG-RICHTER in January, Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene came before the Manatee County School Board during a workshop today to voice her recommendations on what to do next with the survey results.

The majority of her and her team's presentation focused on closing certain schools, such as Orange Ridge-Bullock Elementary School, which have low enrollment and performance numbers. But out east, development is the focal point of the discussion.

Greene said she hopes to have a new high school constructed before the 2018-2019 school year. Although she came closer to pinpointing whether the school will be built in Parrish or East County, the school board is tight lipped on which location has the space for the school.

The school district owns property on State Road 70 in East County and in Parrish, but School Board Chairwoman Karen Carpenter isn't sure either property could house the new school.

A new high school is expected to house 1,800 students.

The school board will review Greene's recommendations and will take action on what's next within its next few meetings.

The board meets at 5:45 p.m. Feb. 23.