Alachua City Commission Requests Delay in SBAC Rezoning Vote

Commission also authorizes demolition of Cleather Hathcock Community Center

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:06am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Alachua City Commission has sent a letter to the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) requesting that the board postpone its final school district rezoning vote scheduled for Thursday. The commission cites the need for more time to consider the potential impacts on affected families. The letter follows similar requests from the Gainesville City Commission and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners. The Alachua City Commission also authorized the demolition of the Cleather Hathcock Community Center due to compliance issues and moisture-related damage.

Why it matters

The proposed school rezoning plan would shut down Alachua and Irby Elementary schools and combine them with Mebane Middle School, among other closures across Alachua County. The city commission believes additional time is needed to ensure the SBAC's decision reflects the concerns of the most affected residents. The demolition of the Cleather Hathcock Community Center is also significant as it represents the city's efforts to address aging infrastructure and compliance issues.

The details

The Alachua City Commission sent the letter to the SBAC on March 11, requesting the board postpone the final rezoning vote to allow more time for considering potential impacts on affected families. The commission acknowledged the district's effort in addressing school capacity issues, fiscal stewardship, and long-term planning, but stated that the magnitude of the lasting impacts school closures can have on families and communities necessitates additional time. The letter follows similar requests from the Gainesville City Commission and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners during a joint meeting on Monday. During Alachua's city commission meeting on Monday, the commissioners unanimously waived meeting rules to draft and send the letter to the SBAC immediately.

  • The Alachua City Commission sent the letter to the SBAC on March 11, 2026.
  • The SBAC's final school district rezoning vote is scheduled for Thursday, March 14, 2026.

The players

Alachua City Commission

The governing body of the city of Alachua, Florida, which has sent a letter to the School Board of Alachua County requesting a delay in the final school district rezoning vote.

School Board of Alachua County (SBAC)

The school district governing body that is scheduled to hold a final vote on a school rezoning plan that would shut down Alachua and Irby Elementary schools and combine them with Mebane Middle School, among other closures.

Walter Welch

The mayor of Alachua, Florida, who signed the letter sent by the Alachua City Commission to the SBAC.

Rodolfo Valladares

The city manager of Alachua, Florida, who recommended moving forward with the demolition of the Cleather Hathcock Community Center due to compliance issues and moisture-related damage.

Cleather Hathcock Community Center

A community center in Alachua, Florida, that the city commission authorized for demolition due to compliance issues and moisture-related damage.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The City believes it is essential that affected families and community members have adequate notice and a meaningful opportunity to review and respond to the most recent proposals before a final decision is made.”

— Walter Welch, Mayor of Alachua

“Absolutely, let's have a rezoning conversation. But let's not have it include closing our schools in that conversation. Let's have a conversation about attracting the students back from private schools and charter schools and potentially homeschool.”

— Dayna Williams, Alachua City Commissioner

“Not only do I have a passion for the children, I am passionate about them closing the schools. We cannot, we cannot, sit still and allow them to do that.”

— Shirley Green Brown, Alachua City Vice Mayor and former teacher at Alachua and Irby Elementary schools

What’s next

The Alachua City Commission will attend the SBAC's meeting on Thursday, March 14, 2026 to present their letter requesting a delay in the final school rezoning vote.

The takeaway

The Alachua City Commission's request for a delay in the SBAC's school rezoning vote highlights the significant impact these decisions can have on local communities and the importance of ensuring affected residents have a meaningful opportunity to provide input before a final decision is made. The city's authorization to demolish the Cleather Hathcock Community Center also underscores the ongoing challenges municipalities face in maintaining aging infrastructure and meeting compliance standards.