Manatee School District Unveils Final Draft Rezoning Maps and Timeline for Public Review
District staff presented final draft rezoning maps and a timeline for public review on Oct. 31, outlining proposed temporary measures to minimize disruption for families as the School Board of Manatee County prepares to adjust attendance boundaries.
The presentation, led by district rezoning staff Derek Jensen and Willie Clark, detailed how the maps will be available on the district website beginning Monday, accompanied by an interactive school-locator tool and a “Let’s Talk” feedback channel open through Nov. 30. Public meetings are scheduled for Nov. 17 at Braden River High School, Nov. 19 at Lakewood Ranch High School, and Nov. 20 at Parrish Community High School. Staff plans to return with a recommended final map at a December board meeting, ensuring the district can publish new boundaries before the January school choice period.
Officials said the rezoning effort responds to concentrated growth in areas such as Harvey and new residential developments north of State Road 62. Several new or reconfigured schools are expected to open in the coming years. The goals, staff said, are to balance enrollment, minimize neighborhood splits, and provide long-term stability as new campuses phase in grade levels between 2026 and 2028.
Jensen reviewed Board Policy 5120, which governs attendance zone adjustments, noting existing protections for students in their final year, a one-year sibling allowance, and limits on multiple rezoning moves. These exemptions do not include district transportation.
Two temporary measures were proposed for this rezoning cycle. A “legacy provision” would allow current students and their enrolled siblings to remain at their current schools through the highest grade offered, even if their attendance zone changes. Students not yet enrolled would attend their newly zoned school. A second “founders provision” would apply to the phased opening of a new high school in 2027–28, giving rezoned students the option to begin a year early to complete all four years at the new campus.
Board members asked whether transportation would be available for students using these provisions. Staff said that district transportation generally would not be provided, except where safety concerns—such as crossing major roads like State Road 64—warrant exceptions. The district plans to publish eligibility and application details before the school choice window opening.
Staff reviewed the proposed maps for all grade levels, explaining how certain neighborhood carve-outs reflect developer boundaries or natural features intended to preserve community integrity. Trustees requested detailed enrollment and capacity data to quantify the impact of rezoning by school, which staff will provide in follow-up reports.
Concerns have been raised about managing growth at schools like Williams Elementary, where capacity challenges persist. Staff said that unused classroom space can be temporarily used to support pre-K or other programs while nearby developments expand. Jensen and Clark added that they will monitor public feedback through the “Let’s Talk” system and may hold additional meetings in neighborhoods generating high volumes of comments.
Next steps include publishing interactive maps and address lookup tools on Monday, accepting public feedback through Nov. 30, and holding the three scheduled meetings in mid-November. The School Board will finalize the date for the December meeting when it sets its calendar on November 18.
The board did not vote on Oct. 31. Staff requested that trustees provide direction and prepare to receive public feedback throughout November before considering final boundary adoption in December, ensuring new zones are in place for the 2026–2027 school year.