Manatee County plans to rezone some schools in effort to relieve overcrowding. Here's how you can weigh in

Bay Area district looking at rezoning schools

FOX 13?s Mariah Harrison has a look at plans in Manatee County to not only build new schools, but rezone some existing ones. Public meetings are being held over the next several days.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The School District of Manatee County says changes are coming as growth leads to more crowded classrooms – and that could mean redrawing boundaries, in addition to building new schools.

District officials are giving parents a chance to weigh in on the changes and learn about the process in the coming days.

By the numbers:

According to the district, 16 Manatee County schools are operating at or over capacity, with a total increase of about 5,000 students countywide since 2020.

School board documents also show the total student population far exceeded district estimates in 2024.

READ: Manatee County running out of time to prepare for 2025 hurricane season, experts say

Dig deeper:

Several construction projects are underway to expand existing schools and build new ones, most of which will be located in northern and eastern portions of the county.

The plan to relieve overcrowding could also lead to rezoning in several areas, potentially upending school planning among parents who mapped out which elementary, middle and high schools their children would attend.

PREVIOUS: Manatee County schools works to build new schools, expand existing ones as more students enroll

What they're saying:

"We love welcoming new families to the community and, at the same time, we have to meet our obligations to the communities who have been here for decades," Manatee County School Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong said last year.

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What's next:

The district plans to open two K-8 schools in August 2025, two elementary schools in August 2026 and a high school in August 2027.