ORLANDO, Fla. – Orange County school board members will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the possible closure of seven schools as the district grapples with declining enrollment.
District leaders say the proposal is part of an ongoing effort to address years of enrollment drops across Orange County Public Schools. Officials say consolidating campuses could save money and help redistribute resources to schools with higher student populations.
[WATCH: Orange County consolidation plan could lead to closure of 7 schools]
The schools include Union Park Middle School; Bonneville Elementary School; Chickasaw Elementary School; Orlo Vista Elementary School; Eccleston Elementary School; Meadow Woods Elementary School; and McCoy Elementary School.
But opposition is already growing among families and residents in neighborhoods surrounding schools on the potential closure list.
Outside Bonneville Elementary School, parents said they are speaking out ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, concerned about the impact closures could have on students and their communities.
“I really don’t think it’s the smartest move to close this school,” said Anthony Merced, a parent and nearby resident, speaking in Spanish. “Our kids are here close by, where they can safely cross the street. There are several families in this area who depend on this neighborhood and work here.”
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Parents say they are worried closures could lead to larger class sizes, longer commutes for students and the loss of neighborhood schools that often serve as community hubs.
“I wish the county would take more time to make a decision at this meeting about closing this school,” Merced said. “We pray to God they won’t close it.”
As opposition grows, parent-teacher organizations at several campuses, including Bonneville Elementary and McCoy Elementary, have begun organizing efforts to keep schools open. Those efforts include petitions and outreach to families and community members.
District officials say Tuesday’s meeting is part of an ongoing discussion and emphasize that no final decisions have been made. Parents tell News 6 they plan to attend the meeting and make their voices heard.
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