GATES Senior High School is Closing

Students of GATES Senior High School are in for a change of plans this school year.

The educational facility has closed for the upcoming school year and the charter by Hillsborough County has been cancelled, according to officials.

Hillsborough County Public Schools recently mailed a letter to parents of affected students asking them to choose two HCPS schools they would like their youngsters to attend instead.

“We understand that uprooting your child at this time of year can place stress on families and therefore, we are committed to helping you make an informed decision on a school for your child,” the letter stated.

July 19 is the deadline to file an application. A placement specialist will work with parents.

The closure impacts grades 9 and 10 only. Grades 7 and 8, which is also housed at the Florida Avenue campus of Learning Gate Community School, is unaffected. 

Learning Gate officials did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The school drew the ire of a group of Lutz residents for its proposed high school campus on Sunset Lane. Among the concerns were the environmental impact and additional traffic.

Mike White, president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, said Learning Gate’s attorney recently stated the Sunset Lane project would be abandoned but the letter posted on the school’s website announcing the closure does not say that specifically.

“We’re cautiously optimistic,” White said. “Although this looks favorable for our fight for the site on Sunset Lane, it still won’t alter our actions — our court case, our public records request.”

John Leaver, chairman of the GATES High School Board of Directors, said the closing is regretful.

“The failure to prepare for another property and lack of planning on behalf of the boards has put the schools in a position where there was not enough space to house the two schools without some modification,” he wrote in a letter. “Having said that, it is the determination that we are going to have to close the High School for the upcoming school year, which will cause the charter to be cancelled by Hillsborough County.”

Are you a parent of an affected student? Call the Choice Information Line at 813-272-4692 for information.