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Roanoke City Public Schools propose boundary changes to staff new Preston Park and ease overcrowding
Summary
RCPS officials presented recommended attendance-zone adjustments at a public town hall, proposing to move roughly 9% of students across five elementary schools so the new Preston Park Elementary opens at appropriate capacity; public feedback is open through May 18 and the board is scheduled to vote May 26.
Roanoke City Public Schools officials outlined recommended changes to elementary attendance zones at a public town hall, saying adjustments are needed so the new Preston Park Elementary School opens with appropriate enrollment and to relieve overcrowding at Monterey and other nearby schools.
"Our families are continuing to choose Roanoke City Public Schools," said Dr. White, who opened the session and framed the discussion as a multiyear planning effort. Chief Operations Officer Chris Perkins told attendees the division's goals include minimizing student movement and keeping buildings at roughly 85–90% functional capacity.
Perkins said the recommendation is the first phase of a three-phase plan running through 2031 focused on the city's north side. "We want to minimize student movement and disruption because we know that can be difficult for students and staff," Perkins said. Planners aim to limit the number of students who change schools and to preserve programming such as preschool access.
The division and its planning partner Futurethink presented projected enrollment impacts for five schools in phase 1: Preston Park is projected to have a net increase of 113 students (124 students transitioning in, 11 transitioning out), Monterey a net decrease of 89 students, Fallon Park a net increase of about 58 students, Round Hill a decrease of about 10 students, and Lincoln Terrace a small increase of about four students. Perkins said special transfers and prior programmatic approvals will be handled case by case.
Tracy Healy, president of Futurethink, described the scenario analysis used to draw boundary lines, saying the team evaluated where students currently live and attend, travel times and distances, transportation impacts, and physical barriers such as railroads. "We looked at travel times and distances," Healy said, noting the firm ran multiple scenarios to minimize student disruption while maintaining diversity.
Perkins described the data sources used to identify overcapacity: RCPS reports enrollment to the Virginia Department of Education on Sept. 30 and March 31, uses building square footage and classroom sizes to calculate functional capacity, and consults population projections (Weldon Cooper) and its own point-in-time data. He said the division will publish the impacted street block numbers and provide an attendance-locator once the board approves the plan.
The public feedback window opens tonight and remains available through May 18 via a survey; the division plans an update to the school board while feedback is still open on May 12 and the board vote on the recommendation is scheduled for May 26. If approved, implementation is planned for the 2026—27 school year, with families to be notified before the last day of school.
Officials addressed concerns about special education continuity and staffing. "We will be working with the list of students once it is finalized to ensure that we provide the services that are needed," said Mr. Freeman, the division's chief instructional officer, who said services tied to students' IEPs will continue without interruption. Mr. McKee, the chief human resources officer, said staff impacts are unknown until final student assignments are set but that the division will personally notify any staff affected after the board's decision.
Perkins said Preston Park construction remains on schedule and under budget, with interior work and windows installed; if in-person tours cannot be conducted because it is an active construction site, the division will offer a virtual tour. The existing Preston Park building will be demolished to make room for dual-purpose athletic fields, playgrounds and bus and parent drop-off areas; Perkins said the division will open the original school's time capsule at the new dedication and install a new capsule.
Officials repeated that the plan is phased and that more schools across the city will be examined in later phases. RCPS is asking families and staff to review the maps, scan the posted QR code for the feedback survey and attend the in-person town hall for further discussion. The division will post detailed address lists, large posters and online materials for public review ahead of the board vote.
