The Sarasota County School Board on October 7 discussed a plan to convert underutilized Wilkinson Elementary into a specialized STEAM academy and teacher training center as part of a major boundary overhaul driven by declining enrollment. The proposal is a direct response to a new Florida law that allows charter schools to occupy underused public facilities rent-free, impacting district finances. District documents show Sarasota County Schools has over 5,600 underutilized student seats, and Wilkinson Elementary is currently at 49% capacity, making it vulnerable. The “Wilkinson Reimagined” proposal aims to proactively repurpose the campus to retain district control. The plan would establish a STEAM Honors Micro-Academy for up to 200 students and a Center for Educator Excellence for teacher training. The board also reviewed a comprehensive new policy for artificial intelligence. The guidelines are intended to protect academic integrity and student data while incorporating AI literacy into the curriculum. The policy places restrictions on AI’s use for grading and requires students to cite any AI-assisted work. Additionally, members discussed revisions to the district’s emergency policy for using schools as public hurricane shelters, aligning responsibilities with new guidance from Sarasota County emergency management officials. No formal votes were taken during the work session. The boundary proposal will now move to a public hearing scheduled for November 13, 2025, with the board expected to take final action on November 18.
Sarasota Schools Considers Wilkinson Conversion, New AI Rules Amid Enrollment Drop
