SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Parents and children said they’re outraged that their school, Wilkinson Elementary, could close. A crowd gathered outside of the school on Wednesday afternoon.

Wilkinson Elementary School has been around since the 70’s, recently becoming the only nationally certified STEM school in the state.

“Anytime you talk about closing a school like that, that guts you,” said Sarasota County School Board Member Liz Baker.

School board members said they’re considering closing Wilkinson because it is 50% below utilization. Three other elementary schools in the county, Brentwood, Alta Vista, and Gulf Gate, are also below utilization.

“Wilkinson has struggled for a long time with being unrealized for several years,” said Sarasota County School District Superintendent Tyler Conn

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