Overview
- Superintendent Maria Vazquez received board consensus to begin rezoning and closure planning for Union Park Middle and Bonneville, Chickasaw, Eccleston, Meadow Woods, McCoy and Orlo Vista elementary schools.
- The proposed consolidation would affect about 3,200 students and roughly 270 teachers, with reassignment to other campuses to be worked out with unions.
- OCPS has lost more than 5,500 students this year and over 8,300 in three years, and district staff are targeting roughly $10 million in savings from consolidations.
- Officials attribute declines to expanded state vouchers, lower birthrates, population shifts and the loss of temporary protected status for some immigrants, including about 1,200 Venezuelan students this year.
- Leaders are weighing how to use vacated buildings as state law lets charter operators request rent-free occupancy, with 53 such inquiries received and no plans to sell properties at this time.