District presents relief rezoning for new High School CCC; public vote scheduled for May 13

Marion County Public Schools staff presented proposed relief rezoning April 3 that would establish attendance boundaries for the new High School CCC in the southwest portion of the county and adjust boundaries at neighboring high schools to alleviate countywide overcrowding.

The item is consequential because it restructures multiple high-school zones, affects large numbers of students and determines which schools remain open to controlled open enrollment in future years.

Mr. Ayers walked the board through site plans, projected student stations (including projections with and without completion of a third floor), timeline of community meetings and the methods used to develop enrollments (PowerSchool projections and historical rates). Staff recommended board approval of attendance boundaries for High School CCC and adjusted boundaries for Bellevue, Donellan, Forest, North Marion and Westport high schools, with the rezoning effective for the 2026-27 school year if approved.

Staff also recommended grandfathering rising 12th-grade students without transportation and allowing students currently enrolled in designated choice/magnet programs at a school to remain without district transportation. Board members discussed potential effects on senior class sizes, magnet-program participation and transportation logistics; staff said departments are coordinating and will continue those discussions as the zoning is implemented.

The next step is a rule-making public hearing and vote scheduled for May 13; staff said projections and program lists (including designated magnet programs) will accompany the item.

Ending: If the board approves the map May 13, the rezoning would be effective for the 2026-27 school year, staff said; departments will continue planning for curriculum, transportation and grandfathering logistics through the implementation period.