Dorchester School District 2 unveils redistricting plan to ease overcrowding, schedules parent meetings
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Summary
Superintendent presented a redistricting proposal that would move about 249 students in 2026–27 to rebalance capacity, shift dozens from Sires and East Edisto to Oak Brook campuses, and rely on TIF-funded classroom additions; the board will take public input before a Feb. 23 follow-up.
Dr. Ashley Wimberley, newly elected board chair, and Superintendent Doherty opened discussion on a redistricting plan the district says is intended to stabilize schools that are over capacity.
Superintendent Doherty told trustees the proposal would shift roughly 249 students for the 2026–27 school year. "We're trying to do the bare minimum, to give our schools a little bit of area for breathing room," he said, explaining the plan would move about 202 students related to the repurposing of Spann Elementary and shift additional students among middle schools.
Why it matters: East Edisto Middle School is currently over capacity, the superintendent said, and without changes the district projects continued growth in areas near Ashley Ridge and other new housing. Under the plan, East Edisto’s enrollment would be reduced by about 184 students by zoning rising students to Oak Brook Middle School; Oak Brook Middle would receive seven additional classrooms paid for with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars. At the elementary level, the proposal would shift about 83 students from Sires to Oak Brook and rely on a separate Oak Brook addition of nine classrooms funded through TIF to keep capacities near a target range.
What the district presented: Doherty gave specific capacity figures and timing the board can expect: Sires Elementary’s current enrollment was cited at 807; moving 202 students would project Sires to about 1,009 students (about 92% capacity). Oak Brook Elementary with the planned nine-classroom addition would move toward roughly 71% capacity for its projected enrollment. For East Edisto Middle the district described current enrollment above 100% (cited around 104% in the presentation) and growth projections of roughly 184–236 students over four to five years if unaddressed.
Parents and next steps: The district said it will hold a parent meeting for families affected by the Sires-to-Oak Brook shift at 6 p.m. (date for that meeting was described as forthcoming in district communications) and scheduled a parent night for parents of East Edisto families to be zoned to Oak Brook Middle on Feb. 3 at 6 p.m. Board members said they will gather feedback and return the plan to the board on Feb. 23 for further consideration.
Board reaction and constraints: Trustees asked clarifying questions about transportation and sibling protections; the superintendent said rising fifth graders would be allowed to remain at their current schools only if parents provide transportation. Board members emphasized the goal of minimizing displacement while creating capacity to add programs and special-education services where needed.
The board did not take a final vote on maps during the Jan. 12 meeting; the item was presented for information and public engagement.