Dear staff, families, students, and community members,
You’re invited to attend an upcoming community meeting to learn about the elementary school rezoning process for our division, and to give feedback on an initial set of draft changes to our zones. All meetings are open to the public.
Community Meetings on Rezoning:
Monday, October 28: Greenbrier, 5-7pm
Tuesday, October 29: Jackson-Via, 4-6pm
Wednesday, October 30: Summit, 5-7pm
Wednesday, November 6 (Zoom): 12-1:30pm (register here) and 6-7:30pm (register here)
We hope to see you at one of these meetings!
To learn more about the rezoning process, read below or visit charlottesvilleschools.org/zoning. This page provides an overview and links to a dedicated project website.
FAQ About Elementary Schools Rezoning
Why are we rezoning?
Making changes to these zones will enable us to avoid overcrowding. This work will “rebalance” our elementary schools to alleviate overcrowding today and in the next few years. In particular, Summit (formerly Clark) and Jackson-Via are on the verge of overcrowding. And on the other hand, Greenbrier is an example of a school that is underutilized. The need to review our school zones is described in our 2023-28 Strategic Plan (in the category of Ensure Effective and Efficient Operations, strategy 16).
Are you considering current housing developments and trends?
Yes! These recent developments underscore the need for this work. In particular, we are watching the net additional units scheduled for completion at South First Street during the 24-25 school year and other affordable housing work already in progress. We also anticipate that Charlottesville’s recently adopted upzoning changes as well as UVA’s plan to require all second-year students to live on campus (thereby freeing up housing stock for families) will lead to increases in the K-12 student population.
What criteria are being used to make zoning decisions?
In addition to redistributing students to avoid overcrowding some schools (and underutilization of others), other key considerations for rezoning include:
Maximizing walkability
Maximizing bus route efficiency
Adhering to recognized neighborhood boundaries (whenever possible)
Maintaining or improving diversity & demographic balance across schools
Maximizing zone sustainability (minimum 5 years before any future rezoning)
Who will make these decisions?
We are guided in this work by our consultants, Woolpert, hired through an RFP process. We have also convened some advisory groups to assist in the work:
Staff Work Group for Rezoning (includes executive leadership and department representatives including family/community engagement and pupil transportation)
Superintendent’s Advisory Committee for Rezoning (including Charlottesville Education Association representatives, Board members, elementary PTO parents, and executive leadership)
What is the decision-making process?
These two groups are working with Woolpert to shape initial recommendations to share at public discussion meetings in October and November (see dates and times listed above). Based on public feedback, the draft recommendations may be revised accordingly. When a recommendation is final, it will be presented to the Board for further discussion and input, and then a month later, the Board will vote on the recommendation. The final vote is expected in January or February 2025. Implementation for changes would likely begin in August 2026, which would coincide with the return of 5th-graders to elementary schools.
How is the school division communicating about rezoning?
We have given information about the project in each of the News & Highlights division newsletters this school year, and we will continue to provide updates in this newsletter. (All Cville Schools families and staff receive this e-newsletter; interested community members can sign up here.) There was a presentation to the School Board on September 5. All updates and materials are posted on the project website, which you can find at charlottesvilleschools.org/zoning.
What is the timeline for this rezoning process?
July 2024: Request for Proposals (RFP) to hire rezoning consultant released
August 2024: Rezoning consultant contract finalized
Fall 2024: Consultant works with Staff Work Group for Rezoning (Executive Leadership) and the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee of Rezoning (including Charlottesville Education Association representatives, Board members, elementary PTOs, and Executive Leadership). Consultant also holds communitywide meetings.
January or February 2025: Final public hearing and presentation to School Board for action
August 2026: Likely start of implementation, which would coincide with the return of 5th-graders to elementary schools. Depending on the approved recommendation, the consultants may recommend a “phased” approach to implementation.
My question hasn’t been answered. How can I learn more?
Visit charlottesvilleschools.org/zoning. This webpage links to a dedicated website that will include a Frequently Asked Questions page as well as a resources page with meeting materials and more. Still have questions? Be sure to attend one of the community meetings in October and November. (See dates/times above.)
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