Parents and students ask Norfolk board to limit moves in proposed redistricting; Mary Calcutt described as a receiving school

The Norfolk School Board took public testimony on a proposed redistricting plan affecting Oceanaire, Norview and Mary Calcutt elementary schools. Several speakers, including school staff, parents and students (with Spanish‑English translation), told the board they want Mary Calcutt to remain the students' school to preserve community and language supports.

Diana Beach, president of the Mary Calcutt PTA and a part‑time interventionist, said families from a nearby apartment complex that has historically provided ELL students to Mary Calcutt are integral to the school's community and that moving those children could interrupt a critical 'silent year' of language development. "These students are our family," Beach said, urging the board to consider a plan that allows rising second‑through‑fourth graders to stay at Mary Calcutt where staff have supported their language development.

Bilingual volunteers and staff read letters from fourth‑grade students who described Mary Calcutt as "a home" and asked not to be moved. Crystal Guillen read multiple student notes, including: "Please do not make me switch schools. This school has made my education better. Please do not make me switch schools." A parent, Jose Figueroa, also asked the board not to close or rezone his child's school.

Administrators clarified that Mary Calcutt is a receiving school as a result of the Oceanaire closure and that several families were delayed in arriving to testify. The board took the comments and recessed briefly to accommodate additional parents, and the public hearing concluded after multiple parents and staff offered personal testimony about the effect of redistricting on ELL students and community cohesion.

Board members thanked speakers for coming and noted follow‑up will occur as the redistricting plan proceeds through the board process.