Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/90018
ON THE DECLINE Portables have been a common sight on Sarasota County school campuses for a number of years. Photos by Scott Proffitt ONCE A STAPLE ON THE CAMPUSES OF SARASOTA COUNTY SCHOOLS, PORTABLES HAVE BEEN DISAPPEARING AS ENROLLMENT HAS DECREASED By Scott Proffitt Staff Writer With falling enrollment over the past sever- al years in the Sarasota County Schools, one campus feature that used to seem ubiquitous is becoming less prominent — the portable. In an April 25 memorandum, Mark Smith of the School Construction Services Department wrote to Scott Lempe, chief operating officer of the Sarasota County Schools, requesting a School Board vote to allow district staff to pursue the demolition of 20 or so "relocatable classrooms" — or as most people know them, portables. The average age of these portables was more than 20 years, with one surpassing the 40-year mark. The request won unanimous School Board ap- proval. A study by MGT of America Inc. titled, "The Efficiency and Effectiveness Review of Sara- sota County Schools," was released in March. While a minor issue, portables still were among the topics of the extensive report, which was privately funded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The MGT review of district operations was re- quested by community individuals in an effort to help improve efficiencies and reduce costs in the school district.