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Orange Center conversion prompts attendance‑zone redistribution; staff sets public input deadlines
Summary
Because Orange Center is converting to a charter, OCPS staff proposed redistributing its 213 students among Catalina, Rock Lake and Washington Shores (50, 50 and 113 reported); staff and the board set May 12 for a public hearing and reopened input through May 4.
District staff presented a redistribution plan April 28 to reassign the Orange Center Elementary attendance zone after the school converted to a charter. The proposed plan divides the former Orange Center zone among three nearby elementary schools: Catalina, Rock Lake and Washington Shores.
Stacy Neil of student enrollment said the district’s map proposals place portions of the former zone in each receiving school. Neil reported 50 students recommended to be rezoned to Catalina, 50 to Rock Lake and 113 to Washington Shores; staff noted distances to all assigned schools would be under two miles. Neil also presented before‑and‑after demographic snapshots for the receiving schools.
On community input, Neil said staff had received comments from two families on this item, both opposing the redistribution as summarized; one opposing family did not offer an explanation in the submission. Neil reiterated that staff will accept online surveys, petitions and email input through 7:30 a.m. on May 4 so the board can review comments before the May 12 public hearing. If the board approves the redistribution after the hearing, staff said changes would begin in August 2026.
Superintendent Dr. Vasquez added context, noting the district approved a public‑private partnership with Lyft Orlando related to Orange Center and stressing that the redistribution is intended to assign attendance zones for families who do not remain at Orange Center after conversion. "We do not expect very many as a result of the vote that took place from the community," he said in describing anticipated reassignment numbers. Board member Felder said she was excited about the incoming school year, asked staff about the nature of the few opposing comments and expressed support for moving the item forward to public hearing.
Next steps: staff will reopen the online input links, accept responses through May 4 at 7:30 a.m., and present the item for the May 12 public hearing.
