Many people move to Crozet for the small town feel—so many that the town is having to lose part of its small town charm. Plans to move students from a small school in Crozet to a much bigger one has some parents up in arms.
On September 29, Albemarle County School officials and parents met to discuss the potential transfer of 100 students to Brownsville Elementary from Crozet Elementary as part of a second phase of plans designed to address overcrowding.
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Crozet Elementary is overenrolled by 58 students. |
“Tonight, we are opening communication channels,” said at-large county School Board member Brian Wheeler, stressing that county school staff were there to receive parents’ input. “We listen very carefully.”
If the county School Board approves this proposal at its November 6 meeting, students from Grayrock South subdivision, Bargamin Park subdivision, Waylands Grant subdivision, Jarman Gap Estates and the south side of Jarmans Gap Road will join 402 students currently at Brownsville.
A 28,000-square-foot, $10 million addition to Brownsville Elementary, currently under construction and slated to finish before next school year, will bring the capacity of the school to 716. It will add 11 new classrooms and a new 9,000-square-foot gymnasium. Additionally, it will expand the cafeteria and the parent drop-off area.
Crozet Elementary, where capacity is 380, is overenrolled by 58 students. The situation has forced some classes into trailers. Already this year, 53 students were redirected from Crozet Elementary: 29 went to Brownsville and 24 went to Meriwether Lewis.
Carole Hastings, special assistant for quality systems and planning, said that school officials chose the Brownsville option because it moved the right number of students from one school to another.
At the meeting, Wheeler said the redistricting plans are an effort to address the long-term increase of students in Crozet. “It is a designated growth area,” he said.
In addition to those affected by the redistricting, recent developments that have driven up student enrollment include Grayrock North, Westhall, Parkside Village, Wickam Pond, Patterson Ridge, Foxchase, and additional sections of Western Ridge and the Highlands subdivisions, said Maury Brown, spokesperson for county schools.
But some parents disputed the projections. David Johnston said that every year is the same story. “The numbers you are getting and what is going on on the ground are two very different things,” he said. Jackson Zimmermann, executive director of fiscal services, said the projections were based on a careful scrutiny of school enrollment and planning permit numbers. “I’m still not convinced about these numbers,” said Johnston.
For Susan Wheeler, a Crozet Elementary parent, the thought of moving children from a small environment to a much bigger one is daunting. “It’s like a leaving the family feeling,” she said, urging school principals to make the transition as smooth as possible, so that students can retain the community aspect “that makes Crozet so special.”
Crozet Elementary Principal Karen Marcus acknowledged the stress that a move could have on a family, but assured parents that the Crozet Elementary staff will help with social networking by having team building events.
Jo Vining, principal of Brownsville Elementary, said that both schools will be working very closely together. “Your children will be so welcome, I want to assure that,” she said.
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