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School board shifts Vine Street neighborhood from Waterman to Bluestone to relieve overcrowding
Summary
Harrisonburg school officials said the board approved moving the Vine Street neighborhood — about 79 students — from overcrowded Waterman Elementary to under-capacity Bluestone Elementary; Bluestone expected to remain under capacity after the change.
School officials told the City and School Liaison Committee on March 24 that the school board approved a boundary adjustment moving the Vine Street neighborhood from Waterman Elementary to Bluestone Elementary as part of an effort to relieve overcrowding.
"All of our elementary schools are... overcrowded... Waterman was overcrowded by 22%... We moved the Vine Street neighborhood as we call it. And so now we're planning on, welcoming those families from Waterman over to Bluestone," a school official said at the meeting.
The division expects roughly 79 students to shift schools under the plan. Officials said Bluestone was previously operating at about 80% capacity and will still be under capacity after receiving the Vine Street students but will be closer to intended capacity.
School staff described plans at Bluestone to hold a potluck and tours to welcome relocated families and to help students and parents learn the school’s routines. Officials also cautioned that under-capacity does not necessarily mean overstaffed, noting assignments and staffing depend on enrollment and established staffing formulas.
No vote details (motion text, mover, second, or official tally) were provided in the liaison committee transcript; speakers described the board’s decision as having been made. The school division said it will proceed with outreach to affected families and logistical planning for the transition ahead of the next school year.
