New Tampa Charter School Proposal Raises Questions, Concerns

The officials proposing a charter school in New Tampa are facing some vocal opponents from the site's neighboring communities.

A town hall-style meeting Monday at drew a packed crowd, with many residents bringing questions and concerns. While not the only worry expressed, the potential traffic impact came up repeatedly. 

“It’s almost impossible to get out of this community in anything that resembles a reasonable amount of time early in the morning right now,” said Tom Krasowsky of West Meadows. “And unless (Clark Elementary) is going to close – and I know that’s not the case -- and be replaced by your school, you’re only adding to that traffic.” 

The Plan

Advantage Academy of Hillsborough Inc. is proposing a K-8 school at Highwoods Preserve Parkway and Brinegar Circle, behind the  and near Clark Elementary. The school board will decide on the application on Dec. 13.

To build the charter school, officials also must receive approval for a rezoning of the site. Currently, the property is approved for multifamily housing, or a church and daycare center only, according to city officials. The City Council has tentatively set a date of Dec. 8 to hear the rezoning application.

The proposed academy would be constructed in two phases: First opening in August 2012 with about 41,000 square feet and 550-650 students, then subsequently growing to a total of 60,000 square feet and an enrollment of about 960 students, according to plans. The second phase also includes a 10,100-square-foot daycare facility.

Michael Horner, planning consultant for the project, said there would be no weekend or evening activities such as athletic events – what he called an overall “benign” use of the property.

Residents Raise Concerns

Charter schools are independent public schools that operate separate from the public system and have their own school boards. They control their own finances and design their own curriculums. However, they still must hire certified teachers and meet state requirements for student performance. 

During Monday’s meeting, officials connected with the proposal said they expected that the school, if approved, would draw 80-85 percent of its enrollment from a 4-mile radius where about a half-dozen public schools currently operate.

One mother in the audience called it “presumptuous” to think that so many parents would take their children out of schools like Clark Elementary to enroll in the New Tampa charter school. Others wondered what the Hillsborough County School District would do if the charter school was approved but fell into noncompliance or experienced financial issues at a later date. Charter schools receive public funding.

According to a Florida Department of Education website, “When a charter is not renewed or is terminated, any unencumbered public funds from the charter school reverts to the district school board; all district school board property and improvements, furnishings, and equipment purchased with public funds automatically revert to full ownership by the district school board subject to complete satisfaction of any lawful liens or encumbrances.”

Traffic, Traffic, Traffic?

Those who live off Highwoods Preserve Parkway complained of vehicular congestion in their neighborhood and at the intersection with Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Many residents said Monday they doubt proposed measures such as more-than-required parking and internal queuing for 97 vehicles would be enough for the project.

“Traffic is already murder,” said resident Rob Armstrong, whose comment was met with audience applause. “We don’t need another school. I don’t think our schools are filled to capacity. In fact, you need to put this somewhere else so the people who are being brought into our area can go somewhere else."

Elizabeth Rodriguez, traffic consultant for the project, said it was important to understand that the school isn’t creating more children.

“All it’s going to change is the distribution,” she said, adding a traffic study for the project was completed up to city standards. “It’s important to say we’re not creating or putting new trips on the road … but we’re diverting trips to different areas.”