Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida Soon to Become a Public Elementary School

Temple Heights Baptist Church, and private school located at 8406 North 46th Street In Tampa Florida, once had a waiting list of students waiting to get in. However, in recent years the schools population declined, and before for long a sale sign appeared. After only being on the market for a few short months during the Summer of 2007, an offer was made on the old 1950's building. A offer that no one seen coming.

At a public meeting last month held at Temple Heights Baptist church, which I attended, all the future plans for the building was laid on the table. On October 30th, 2007 Temple Heights Baptist church, and school was officially bought by Hillsborough County.

This old building will soon under go remodeling, and repairs, because in August 2008, it will open it's doors once more as a school, except this time it will be a public elementary school. Public officials that attended, the meeting include the principles from several local elementary schools, including Pizzo, Shaw and Lewis elementary. There was also several guest speakers including Anthony Satchel, the Area 7 director for the Hillsborough County school board.

The new school doesn't yet have a name picked out, however work is slowly underway to restore the building to tip top shape. On the top of the list for expected repairs, is a new parking area for both buses, and parents. There is also talk about having the school playground area double as a public park. Upgraded sidewalks, School Zone signs, Stop Signs, and possibly a traffic light are also in the works. The end result of this well worn building, is to become a new looking school that any child would be proud to attend.

The reason why the county has decided to open a new public elementary school is simple. Overcrowding in public schools has become far to common, and this "relief" school will hopefully help manage some of the local overcrowding issues. Students that will attend this new school starting the 2008 school year, will be those who live between 40th Street, and 50th Street (the area known as Tampa Heights), and Between River Hills Drive, and Busch Blvd.

Most of the students in this area are currently attending Pizzo Elementary. However, other areas are also subject to being bussed in. This new elementary school is expecting to bring relief to not only Pizzo, but also Shaw, Forest Hills, and Lewis elementary as well. The exact busing zones have not yet been determined.

In January 2008, students who live in the immediate district zone for the new school will be notified by mail. Students in areas that are subject to being bussed in will be notified as soon as the busing schedules are complete. Where does that leave your child? If you live in the new district zone area for the new school, the chances of your child being able to stay at his old school are slim to none. Due to the overcrowding situation Pizzo, Shaw, Forest Hills, and Lewis elementary schools, are not open choice schools. Only those on special assignment will be able to remain at their current school.

A new school, isn't always a bad thing. The advantages this school will have over the larger schools it's hoping to relieve is easily understandable, given it's size. First off this school is much smaller, and will hold less students. There are expecting less then 550 students to attend the new school with a 600 student body maximum. Also the location is much better then some of the larger schools.

Schools like Pizzo elementary are located on extremely busy roads, causing traffic jams, and student safety concerns amongst parents. Not to mention that the new school has an old school feel to it, in plain words, it's already broken in. Once the school is remodeled is will not resemble a church, which means a lot to some parents. The new pubic elementary school will serve grades Kindergarten through the fifth grade. The name of the new school is scheduled to be announced in late December to Early January.