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Parents, residents urge board to choose Option 2 for school construction to minimize student disruption
Summary
Multiple public commenters at the April 7 meeting urged the board to select “Option 2” in the district’s school-construction planning, saying it minimizes disruption for Pathways families and avoids traffic problems near Orange High School; speakers raised equity and transportation concerns.
Several parents and community members at the April 7 Orange County Board of Education meeting urged the board to favor “Option 2” in the district’s school-construction planning, saying the plan would cause the least disruption to families in northern Orange County and better address overcrowding.
Joy Naims, a Pathways parent who said she grew up in the district, told the board Option 2 “causes the least disruption to families” and would use available land to relieve overcrowding at Eflin Cheeks Elementary. Naims said she was primarily concerned about the potential loss of a public school in northern Orange County if Pathways students were relocated and warned that longer commutes could harm students who already travel far to school.
Heather Rosie, a fourth-grade teacher and parent, said the proposals could disproportionately affect Title I schools such as Central and Pathways, increasing instability for students who already face challenges. “If schools are combined, will curriculum coaches be doubled for K–2 and 3–5 to ensure adequate support for a larger student population?” Rosie asked, stressing class-size and support concerns.
Corey Sanders of Mebane, who identified as a parent of an autistic child, described how a proposed reassigning of schools under some options could add 30 minutes to commutes and disrupt year-round schedules. “The upheaval in those commutes, the upheaval in changing up the schedules for these kids is not a small deal,” he said, urging the board to consider students’ daily routines and special needs when deciding.
Speakers also suggested short-term measures to reduce displacement, including temporarily designating Hillsborough Elementary as a traditional public school so students could attend nearby schools until new facilities are built. Speakers and board members emphasized minimizing disruption and protecting low-income and Title I students from disproportionate effects.
Board members thanked speakers and said the district will continue reviewing options. No vote on construction options was recorded at the meeting; comments were part of the public-comment period.
