School board adopts Deep Creek Elementary attendance zone option 1, citing capacity trade-offs

The Chesterfield County School Board voted on Oct. 14 to adopt Option 1 for the attendance zone serving the newly opened Deep Creek Elementary School, a move staff said will reduce the use of portable classrooms but may put the school near full capacity within five years.

The vote: Board member Steven Peranto moved to adopt Option 1; the motion was seconded and carried by unanimous roll call. The clerk recorded 'Aye' votes from Dominique Chatters, Steven Peranto, Lisa Hudgins and Anne Coker. "There has been a motion for Option 1 and a second," the chair said before the clerk called roll; the motion carried. (Clerk and board members.)

Why it matters: Staff described two boundary options presented after the opening of Deep Creek Elementary; both produce reductions in enrollment at nearby schools and remove an estimated up to 20 classroom trailers, but staff cautioned that projected residential development could cause enrollment to reach or exceed capacity within five years.

Board discussion: Board member Dominique Chatters acknowledged the community concerns and noted both options project around 100% enrollment in a five-year window. "We have to do something to provide a school for the children that are already there," she said, adding that the board will continue to work with the county and state representatives on broader development and funding questions. (Dominique Chatters, school board member.)

Next steps: Superintendent's staff said communications to families impacted by the new attendance zone — including information about center-based gifted options — would be distributed later that evening.

Ending: The board's adoption of Option 1 ends the formal decision on current boundaries; staff and the board acknowledged the need to monitor future development and to continue coordinating with county officials on long-term capacity planning.