LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – Lake County Schools is the latest Central Florida district to move forward with a school consolidation, citing low enrollment. But unlike other recent proposals that have drawn vocal parent opposition, district leaders say the planned merger of Oak Park and Carver middle schools has largely been met with support.
On Monday, the principals of both schools appeared before the school board in a show of unity, wearing shirts that read “We are stronger together” and “Two teams, two traditions, but we’re one community.”
Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth said one goal is to relieve pressure on teachers in smaller schools, where limited staffing can force educators to cover multiple subjects. “If a teacher is teaching multiple subjects right now, this will actually lighten their load,” Farnsworth said, adding that teachers may be able to focus on one or two subjects instead of “three or four.”
District officials said construction is scheduled to begin next month at Carver, including work to make room for a larger media center. The full merger is expected to be completed in time for the 2027-2028 school year.
In the meantime, the district said there will be opportunities for students and staff from both campuses to begin coming together and shaping what the combined school will look like, including discussions around school culture, colors, and a mascot.