ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — Parents in St. Johns County are expressing worries regarding student safety as the school district proceeds with its rezoning plan.

With the upcoming introduction of two new K-8 schools, QQ in Silverleaf and RR in Nocatee, anticipated next year, a considerable number of students may need to change schools, with Pine Island Academy experiencing the most significant effects.

Families are concerned not just about changing schools, but about the potentially hazardous routes students would have to navigate. Residents in areas like Crosswater and Settler’s Landing specifically chose their homes for the convenient access to Pine Island Academy.

“We’re close enough to Pine Island that we can hear the morning announcements from our porch,” said Rachel Houser, a Pine Island parent.

Many parents felt the rezoning plans caught them off guard. “I was completely surprised that proximity wasn’t a factor, and our real worry is about the commute to and from school,” remarked Anne Marie Izzo.

The district explained that the aim of the 2026-2027 rezoning is to ease overcrowding and distribute student populations more evenly. The new K-8 schools set to open next year will lead to students being reassigned based on the finalized plans. Although specifics are still in the works, parents maintain that their main concern is safety.

“You are making all the traffic use the same road in a small neighborhood, mingling with construction vehicles and drivers going 40-50 mph. It seems both unsafe and unnecessary,” commented Holly Savino, a parent of a Pine Island Academy student.

“Why move my kids to a school that’s harder and more dangerous to get to, and further away?” asked John Sierp, another Pine Island Academy parent.

The parents said current paths for walking, biking, and golf carts could be disrupted under the new plans, sending students onto busy streets and intersections. “The last thing I want is for our kids not to get to school safely,” said Edward Ernst. Holly Savino added, “You’re forcing all traffic to share the same road in a small neighborhood….it just seems really unsafe and unnecessary.”

Some parents feel the district is taking away what they already had. “They set us up for success here, and now it feels like they’re setting us up for failure with this new school,” Izzo said.

The school district said these plans are not final. Parents can email feedback to district staff, school board members, and the superintendent. 

Final decisions will be made in November.