Executive Director Post: Important Update Regarding the Start of School

Dear Families,

We want to provide an important update regarding the start of the school year.

Following yesterday’s orientation, we learned that the temporary facility planned for our middle school students did not have the required approvals in place for us to operate there, and we were directed to vacate the facility immediately.

We recognize that this is happening very close to the start of the school year, and we understand the concern and inconvenience this may cause for our families. Our team responded immediately, secured a new temporary location for our middle school students, and has already completed a move to Boys & Girls Club — Brian Lamar Brady Workforce Readiness Center, located at 301 NE Fifth St., Mulberry.

Because we had spent several weeks developing the original operational plan, we are now working throughout the weekend to rebuild the logistics necessary to make this new arrangement work safely and efficiently. This includes:

• Finalizing middle school drop-off and pick-up procedures, which will likely change

• Reworking our morning and afternoon bus routes and schedules

• Coordinating arrival and dismissal procedures across both locations

• Reviewing safety and security procedures at the new middle school site

• Working with our Safe Schools partners to ensure appropriate plans are in place

  
  

We plan to publish updated bus schedules and additional arrival/dismissal information by Monday morning.

While we are moving forward with this new plan, it is important to note that final approval from both the school district and our own School Board is still required and is expected to take place Monday. We are hopeful that those approvals will be in place so that we can move forward as planned.

We are working toward beginning school as normally as possible on Tuesday. While it is unlikely, there is a possibility that the first day for our middle school students may need to be delayed depending on the final approvals and completion of the necessary safety and operational requirements. Please stay tuned for updates from the school. We will communicate any change as soon as a decision is made.

Middle School Families: Visit the New Location

Middle school families who are anxious to see the new space are welcome to visit the new site on Monday between 12pm and 2:30pm. Our middle school teachers will be at the site during that time to welcome families, answer questions, and help you become familiar with the new space.

Once approved, this location will also serve as an after-school option for students who would like to participate in the Boys & Girls Club program in Mulberry. School transportation will be available to take students to the Boys & Girls Club after school. Families interested in this option should let us know so we can coordinate transportation.

We know this is not the update anyone wanted to receive just days before school begins. We are hopeful that these changes will have as little impact on our families as possible, and we are incredibly grateful for your patience, flexibility, and understanding as we navigate this unexpected situation.

Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible while keeping student safety and the quality of their school experience at the center of every decision. We are working hard throughout the weekend and remain hopeful that, with the necessary approvals, we can begin the school year safely and successfully on Tuesday.

We are truly sorry for the uncertainty and disruption this last-minute change may cause our families. We know how much planning goes into preparing for a new school year, and we do not take the impact on your families lightly. Thank you for your patience, grace, and trust as we work through this together.

We are committed to getting this right for our students and families, and we cannot wait for the day when we can move to one unified campus and put this temporary chapter behind us.

With gratitude,

Kelly De La Cruz