TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County School Board voted 4-3 Tuesday night to close Just Elementary School. It was the board's second and final vote on the issue.
The first vote recently passed 4-3, with board members Henry “Shake” Washington, Jessica Vaughn and Karen Perez voting no.
What You Need To Know
- Hillsborough School Board votes to close Just Elementary
- Just Elementary had a student population of 283 students but could hold up to 600
- Just students likely to move to Tampa Bay Boulevard and Booker T. Washington elementary schools
Just Elementary has a student capacity of 600, but currently only 283 students are enrolled there. It’s the only school with an “F” letter grade from the state.
A majority of the 519 students zoned to attend Just Elementary opted out to nearby public schools or magnet schools.
Just Elementary is a predominately Black school, and that has some community leaders vying to keep the school open, so students aren’t forced to travel further away from their communities for school.
Superintendent Addison Davis said closing the school is a hard decision, however, analytically, the move makes sense.
The school has been plagued with staff and administrative shortages, and high teacher turnover rates.
With Tuesday's vote in the books, students will transition to Booker T. Washington and Tampa Bay Boulevard elementary schools starting next school year.
The district plans to repurpose the Just Elementary building for other uses.