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- calendar_today November 10, 2026
OCPS to Vote on Sale of Pine Castle Elementary Property
Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is considering the sale of the former Pine Castle Elementary School property for $1.5 million. The proposed transaction would provide a financial boost to the district as it deals with a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall, although the proceeds would be restricted to capital projects and could not be used for daily operating expenses.
Details of the Proposed Property Sale
The Orange County School Board is scheduled to vote on the proposal this afternoon. The six-acre site, located on Waltham Avenue adjacent to Cornerstone Charter Academy, has been unused since Pine Castle Elementary closed several years ago following school consolidations. Stephanie Vanos, a board member, stated that although the district had previously considered alternative uses for the location, the project was ultimately moved to a different facility after consolidation decisions were made.
Cornerstone Charter Academy: Highest Bidder
Cornerstone Charter Academy emerged as the highest bidder for the property. "They were the highest bidder, if you will, and they are paying more than a million," said Vanos. "I think that's $1.5 million." According to board documents, the academy plans to utilize the land for recreational purposes, such as sports fields. The pending agreement also includes provisions for OCPS to access the property when necessary.
District Faces Budget Shortfall and Enrollment Decline
The proposed sale comes amidst financial challenges for OCPS. Officials report a loss of approximately $23 million for the current fiscal year, attributed mainly to declining student enrollment. This shortfall follows the consolidation of seven schools within the district. Earlier in the year, OCPS finalized a $7.9 billion budget along with an additional $8.5 million in anticipated cuts.
Proceeds Restricted to Capital Budget
According to district policy and state law, funds raised through the sale of property must be allocated to the capital budget, which is used for construction, infrastructure, improvements, and technology. "Unfortunately, the law requires that when funds come in from a sale of property or a sale of a building or something like that, that money goes into a capital budget," said Vanos. She emphasized that capital funds cannot be applied to operational expenses such as teacher salaries or staff benefits.
School Board Decision Expected
The Orange County School Board will make a decision regarding the sale during its meeting this afternoon. If approved, Cornerstone Charter Academy will acquire the former Pine Castle Elementary School property, and the district will use the generated funds for capital improvements as permitted.
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Source: clickorlando.com.
