Title and Board Action Requested
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Approval of School Name Change from Eastside Elementary School to Eastside Academy of Leadership and Innovation
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Executive Summary
The Principal of Eastside Elementary School, on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools, hereby requests the Board to officially rename Eastside Elementary School to Eastside Academy of Leadership and Innovation to align with the school’s approved expansion and redesigned educational model.
On February 10, 2026, during the Board Workshop, district administration presented the vision for expanding and redesigning Eastside Elementary into a K-8 academy centered on innovative, career-connected learning experiences. The Board supported the proposed expansion and authorized staff to move forward with planning and stakeholder engagement.
Following the workshop, the school conducted a series of community information sessions on February 18, March 2, and March 25, 2026, to provide families with a detailed overview of the academy model. During these sessions, parents, students, and staff learned about the school’s three instructional pillars: Leadership Development, Agriculture and Agriscience, and Aerospace Technology.
As part of the stakeholder engagement process, participants were invited to provide feedback on three proposed school names: Eastside Academy of Innovation, Eastside Academy of Leadership and Innovation or Eastside Academy of Agrisciences and Aerospace.
Across all three information sessions, Eastside Academy of Leadership and Innovation received the strongest and most consistent positive feedback from stakeholders. Participants indicated that the name best reflects the school’s mission by emphasizing leadership development while also encompassing the innovative instructional experiences that will define the academy.
The stakeholder feedback was subsequently presented to the School Advisory Council (SAC) during its meeting on April 21, 2026. After reviewing the results of the community engagement process, the SAC unanimously voted to recommend Eastside Academy of Leadership and Innovation as the school’s official name.
Administration recommends that the Board approve changing the name of Eastside Elementary School to Eastside Academy of Leadership and Innovation, effective for the 2026-2027 school year.
The name reflects the Board-approved vision for the school’s expansion, aligns with the academy’s innovative educational model, and represents the overwhelming preference expressed through the school’s stakeholder engagement process.
My Contact
Mike Lastra
Principal of Eastside Elementary School
Lastra_m@hcsb.k12.fl.us
2023-28 Strategic Focus Area
Priority 1: Student Success
Financial Impact
The cost of this agenda item is $0, see attached budget sheet.
If expenditure is not currently budgeted, this will serve as the budget amendment when Board approved. If the agenda item includes the purchase of goods or services, the funds requested are an anticipated amount and may fluctuate depending on such factors as current market conditions, product availability, additional funding sources, and the needs of the District. Should the actual cost exceed the anticipated amount, the Board approves the additional cost, after review by the superintendent, but not in excess of the funds available in the site’s approved annual budget.