St. Johns County parents voice concerns about rapid growth, overcrowded classrooms during superintendent search

News 4 Jax | By Briana Brownlee | February 13, 2025

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The St. Johns County School District is actively seeking a new superintendent to replace Tim Forson, who will retire at the end of the school year.

Forson, who has served since 2016, announced his retirement in November, prompting the district to begin the search for his successor.

As the fastest-growing county in Northeast Florida, St. Johns County faces unique challenges that the new superintendent will need to address.

Enrollment in the district has seen significant increases, with nearly a 3% rise from 2023 to 2024, followed by a 2% increase this school year. This growth translates to approximately 1,000 additional students, and the trend is expected to continue with a projected 1.5% increase next year.

“The quality of the schools and stuff has gone down dramatically, the overcrowding of schools. My children started at Lakeside Academy this year, and already next year, we’re in portables,” said St. Johns County mother Angelica Worsham. “My daughter is at Beachside, it’s been open for the third year, and they’re already in portables. There are 33 [teacher] vacancies at Beachside. Those kids are being taught by substitutes, out-of-field teachers.”

Worsham told News4JAX that the quality of education in the county is “tumbling down.” She said it’s a major problem.

“I’m resentful because my husband grew up here in St. Augustine, we both spent 22 years in the military and we came back here to come back home to family and this was our biggest resentment,” Worsham said.

To accommodate the influx of students, the district is constructing three new K-8 schools and planning an expansion of South Wood Elementary School.

Additionally, another K-8 school, two elementary schools, and a new high school are slated for construction within the next five years.