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Parents, teachers urge board to delay Forest Zone redistricting; public hearing draws dozens
Summary
At a public hearing on Oct. 9, dozens of parents, teachers and residents urged the Bedford County School Board to delay or reconsider a proposed redistricting plan that would reassign roughly 83 students from New London Academy to Otter River Elementary. No final vote was taken; board members said the matter will return in November.
A public hearing on proposed redistricting in Bedford County’s Forest zone drew more than 30 speakers Thursday night, with parents, teachers and longtime residents urging the Bedford County School Board to delay or revise a plan that would move roughly 83 students from New London Academy (NLA) to Otter River Elementary.
The board did not vote on redistricting at the Oct. 9 meeting. Superintendent DePere and board members said staff will continue analysis and the board expects to act in November; several members asked staff to research alternatives such as overflow assignment policies, modular classroom options and developer-funded mitigation.
The hearing highlighted concerns about student disruption, longer commute times on narrow rural roads, safety and the loss of community ties. “This school was part of our forever plan,” said Mallory Evans, a Forest-area parent. “Sending us to Otter River instead of New London Academy will take away the gift of being present — I can’t stop by for lunch or volunteer on field day.”
Parents, students and teachers described practical impacts if rezoning proceeds. Heather Brumfield, a business owner and District 3 parent, said moving her child would disrupt a tutoring schedule that depends on proximity to NLA. “If she was moved to Otter River, she would miss school or have to find a different tutor,” Brumfield said. Several speakers cited medical or behavioral needs that could worsen with longer rides; multiple parents mentioned children who become carsick on extended bus trips.
Teachers and school staff warned of lost relationships and instructional disruption. Paula Mason, a teacher of 31 years, said her school’s special-education and behavioral supports are already stretched: “There is only one special-education teacher for 18 students across six grade levels,” Mason said. Becca Veil, a special-education teacher and parent at NLA, urged the board to keep existing families in place and send new development students to other schools while students already enrolled remain at NLA.
Speakers questioned the timing and the data underlying the plan. Resident Matt Burkey and others said the large developments cited as drivers of the plan have not yet been built and that projecting 76–91 students from proposed townhomes and subdivisions is a long-term forecast. “It simply doesn't make sense to move current students now for future students who don't yet exist,” Burkey said, arguing construction and occupancy typically occur over several years.
Several speakers proposed alternatives to large boundary changes: targeted bus routes for new developments, modular classrooms, phased monitoring tied to verified occupancy, and developer impact fees to fund capacity. School board member S. Hill (remarks during board discussion) referenced Virginia Code §22.1-79 to note that attendance zones are set by the school board and suggested exploring options that minimize uprooting established families.
Board members acknowledged the emotional weight of the public comments and the practical pressures of uneven enrollment. Randy Haglund, presenting financial context earlier in the meeting, warned of constrained resources in the district budget; other board members recommended studying overflow-assignment models used in other Virginia districts that redirect only newly enrolled students when a school reaches a capacity threshold.
The public hearing portion was limited to 40 minutes; speakers were allotted four minutes each. Dozens of participants — including a third-grade student who urged the board, "I don't want to leave, I will be sad" — emphasized the longstanding community and multi-generational ties to New London Academy.
Next steps: the board requested additional analysis and said the redistricting proposal will return for consideration in November. Board members asked staff to provide enrollment projections tied to construction milestones, potential transportation impacts, and cost estimates for temporary capacity measures.
Community members said they plan to remain engaged and to press board and county officials for alternatives that preserve neighborhood schools while accommodating growth.
