Sarasota board advances 'Future Focus' plan: Brookside magnet, discovery centers and K–6 rollups

District leaders used the Jan. 6 workshop to detail the "Future Focus" strategic initiative, which repurposes campus space, creates thematic magnet programming and builds community partnerships to attract students and leverage external funding.

Brookside: reimagine as a technology magnet
District staff proposed converting Brookside into a districtwide magnet focused on machine learning, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and esports. A naming and interest survey opened to the community; staff reported roughly 500 responses with a strong lead for the name "Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation and Technology" (combined first/second choice 68%). Staff also reported 71% of respondents with upcoming sixth‑grade students answered yes or maybe when asked about attending an AI/tech‑focused program.

Academic and partner commitments
Chief Academic Officer Rachel Bridal said the district will work with partners (including the University of South Florida and esports partners) on curriculum frameworks, adjunct professor opportunities, and lab design; the plan includes stipends for teachers who participate in summer planning and a phased rollout that starts with a sixth‑grade cohort and adds grades in subsequent years.

Technology and communications
District IT and facilities staff told the board that gaming/CTE computer specs are largely in place and that at least one additional lab might be required; communications staff said the Brookside naming survey would close around Jan. 11 so the district can finalize program branding and marketing ahead of school‑choice season. Prior marketing campaigns were cited as effective — staff said some spots exceeded 50,000 views with high completion rates and previously produced 357 newly enrolled students.

Discovery centers, BizTown and childcare partnerships
Staff described plans for Emma E. Booker to host a Junior Achievement BizTown/Finance Park discovery center, with curriculum mapping, professional development and a fundraising campaign. Booker Middle is under consideration for a North County childcare partnership with the YMCA; staff said build‑out and required upgrades would be covered by the partner, not the district, and could provide discounted childcare for district staff.

K–6 rollups, facilities and leases
The Future Focus plan calls for rolling Alta Vista, Brentwood, Gulf Gate and Wilkinson from K–5 to K–6 next year; allocation and scheduling work sessions were scheduled after allocations are distributed Jan. 20. Staff described athletic, scheduling and facilities walk‑through work, and noted Wilkinson Building 2 may be repurposed in partnership with Sarasota Children's Museum. Any partner build‑outs would be funded by the partner and require lease agreements.

Costs, funding and timeline
Staff provided a high-level cost estimate: an all‑in build-out could reach about $40,000,000. District staff said roughly $5,000,000 would address items outside the discovery center and that over $4,000,000 of identified near-term work could be funded from capital; general fund impact was projected to be under $75,000. The district emphasized a phased approach and noted fundraising as the primary lever; Junior Achievement will lead fundraising strategy and staff will return with a more detailed timeline and milestones for March.

Board concerns and next steps
Board members requested specificity in memoranda of understanding with university partners (Mister Edwards asked that any MOU with USF be tightly scoped). Board members pressed staff for clarity about transportation logistics for magnet students and contingency plans if enrollment does not meet projections. Staff said they will return with more detailed cost and timeline information in March and may seek board action on naming and program approvals via a special meeting if needed.

Proposed next steps include finalizing Brookside program branding, launching targeted marketing during the school‑choice window, continuing facilities walk‑throughs, starting fundraising planning and returning to the board with cost and timeline milestones at the March workshop.