Responding to the Boom: St John’s County Schools’ Solution to the Population Growth
As the population in St Johns County continues to rise, the district plans to respond by opening five new schools. Last year, 1,400 students were added to the district, which in turn has increased the need for teachers. There are currently 3,400 full-time teachers serving in St Johns County, with 50% having only zero to five years of experience teaching in the district. Superintendent Tim Forson reported that school construction from the previous three years and over the next three years will provide room for more than 20,000 students in the district. According to a quarterly report, there are plans to build two new K-8 schools in the Nocatee and Silverleaf communities. The new K-8 school near River Town is being transitioned into a middle school. The Deputy Superintendent of Facilities and Operations for St Johns County, Dr. Brennan Asplen, stated that a new high school in the district is expected soon as well.
A rise in the population has also spawned concerns about teachers’ pay. The teachers’ salaries have not kept up, while the cost of living is increasing. Even though St Johns County is one of the highest academically ranked districts in Florida, they are among the bottom for teacher pay. Many in the community concur that they would pay higher taxes to keep teachers in the district.
By: Hanna Virts
Sources:
