In an effort to address overcrowding and optimize facility use, Volusia County School Board is evaluating a proposal that could reassign students from University High School to Pine Ridge High School. This potential rezoning is slated for the 2025-26 academic year and seeks to balance student distribution more effectively.
Recently, the Volusia County School Board reviewed a rezoning plan aimed at managing student numbers in the county’s western region. This follows a significant rezoning effort earlier this year that affected over 1,700 students. The proposed changes focus on relocating 122 freshmen from University High School, specifically those residing east of Interstate 4, to Pine Ridge High School. This shift is anticipated to ease transportation challenges and enhance available spaces in the institutions involved.
The initiative was presented by district officials Patty Corr, Ron Young, and Robert Voges during a board workshop. Board Chair Jamie Haynes emphasized the necessity of balancing student capacity, stating, “We have to be equitable. We have to be able to make sure there are seats for kids. I can’t put any more seats at University High. There’s nowhere to put them.”
While the demographic impact of this measure on University and Pine Ridge high schools is expected to be minimal, community involvement is crucial. The board intends to host meetings to collect feedback, although these events are yet to be scheduled. This proposal could form part of a broader strategy to redistribute students among University, Deltona, and Pine Ridge high schools in the future.
Board member Ruben Colón pointed out the importance of comprehensive planning before implementing such changes. “Before we have those discussions, we need a real good roadmap for where we’re going and how many years we’re talking about,” he noted.
In addition to this high school rezoning proposal, the board is contemplating modifications affecting several elementary schools. Discussions on plans involving Starke, Freedom, and Woodward elementary schools took place in a recent workshop. The proposed adjustments involve transitioning 207 students to the newly constructed Edith I. Starke Elementary School, set to open in the 2025-26 school year. This move comes as part of a project to replace the existing Starke Elementary with a larger facility capable of accommodating 650 students.
Volusia County’s ongoing efforts to manage educational resources underscore the complexity of balancing student distribution and facility capacity. By considering these rezoning proposals, the district aims to foster a more equitable educational environment for its students, while engaging the community in crucial feedback sessions. As these plans develop, the district remains focused on creating a roadmap that will guide these changes smoothly over the coming years.
Source: News-journalonline
