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Middle school merged into the high school; 5th grade moved to elementary

Day-to-day
Lake Butler Elementary School, Lake Butler, Union County, Florida
Michael Rivera · by-sa

What happened

In spring 2026 the superintendent proposed moving fifth grade to Lake Butler Elementary School and combining grades 6-12 under Union County High School, because of falling enrollment and money problems. The middle school building is still used but is run as part of the high school. For 2026-27 the state approved an 8:00 a.m. start for the 'Union County High School combination school' and for Lake Butler Elementary.

Why it matters to families

Middle school students now belong to the high school for staffing, scheduling, athletics and school safety. Families of fifth graders now go to the elementary school.

The evidence

March 10 and April 14, 2026 workshop minutes describe the plan. The June 16, 2026 start-times memo (June 23 agenda, Attachment #2) refers to the UCHS combination school. July 28, 2026 minutes describe moving access controls for the 'new footprint' of UCHS.

The source

Attachment #5 (03-10-2026 - School Board Workshop Minutes)

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