Connor, School Board must avoid school closures

Sarasota County taxpayers are being asked to accept a plan that would have far-reaching effects on the local economy and property values.

Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Terry Connor has proposed closing Wilkinson Elementary School and redistributing its students , citing “underutilization” as the justification. 

Closing Wilkinson would set a dangerous precedent.

The district has already identified 12 schools as underutilized, and Sarasota County School Board members have acknowledged that additional “utilization” decisions will be necessary.

If Wilkinson is first to close, others will follow.

When a neighborhood school closes, home values drop, families are unlikely to move in and businesses that rely on those families str

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