Orange County Schools has been holding a series of community feedback sessions as they plan to reassign students for the 2024-25 school year.
The district website’s reassignment page cites a number of factors that create the need for reassignment, including overcrowding in certain schools, program options, the need to balance academic performance, socioeconomic indicators, and demographics. Based on current numbers, Orange County is looking to shift its student assignment maps for elementary and high school levels, while the middle school map would remain the same.
Kevin Smith, the Chief Public Information Officer for OCS recently spoke with 97.9 The Hill about the process the district will go through with the public. He stressed the need for feedback from the community.
“We really want families who are affected by this or who may be affected by this who want to learn more, anyone in the community,” Smith said. “We have some information sessions, we have draft maps that have been released on orangecountyfirst.com. The current student assignment map is right there, but also, you’ll find draft maps, and you’ll see the draft proposed plan.”
Anyone who wants to provide feedback before the School Board’s next meeting on November 6 will have a couple of formal opportunities to do so — Wednesday, November 1 at Gravelly Hills Middle School from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., and then a virtual session the same time on Thursday, November 2.
The first draft map presented by Orange County Schools of the new elementary school district configuration. The blue lines are the current boundaries, whereas the colors represent the proposed changes. (Photo via Orange County Schools.)
The first draft map presented by Orange County Schools of the new high school district configuration. The red lines are the current boundaries, whereas the colors represent the proposed changes. (Photo via Orange County Schools.)
Smith added that the feedback collected at these initial sessions is just the beginning of the process.
“That information will then go into the second draft,” he said. “This first draft phase between now and November 6 is going to continue to evolve. We will have drafts that will incorporate that feedback later in November. We don’t want to spring surprises on individuals. Rather, we want to have feedback from every school and a wide variety of people.”
The prospect of being moved to a new school may be hard for some families, so there are likely to be some exceptions when the final plan goes into effect next school year.
“Does change bring with it certain challenges? Absolutely,” Smith continued. “That’s why there is some stability built into any reassignment plan. There are ways for students to continue, at least for the first year of reassignment, at their same school. The board of education always has interest in making sure that students have a save and welcoming place to go to school.”
Find more information about the feedback session and see the draft maps at the Orange County Schools website.
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