Announcing Proposed Changes to School Zones

Dear Charlottesville City Schools community:

After reviewing the options presented by my Advisory Committee, I’m writing to share my recommendation for rezoning. As I mentioned earlier this week, there are no “easy” or “perfect” solutions, but I believe we have arrived at a good plan that will serve our community into the future. Thanks again for your feedback and engagement. 

Guiding Principles
Preventing overcrowding is our first priority. With upcoming housing developments, the schools in the southern part of Charlottesville – especially Summit – are facing overcrowding, while schools in the northern part have extra capacity. 

The Board and I have decided that this rezoning process should also prioritize leveling the socioeconomic status (as well as other indicators of high need) across all our schools. All students deserve to be in schools that have ample capacity to serve them. Again, this priority particularly impacts Summit. I have heard from many voices about this idea, and I believe it is the right way forward.

The Recommendation: Impacted Neighborhoods with Timelines
In the rezoning recommendation, the first transition would begin for current Summit students who live west of Kindlewood; in August 2027, these students would shift to Burnley-Moran. Because this transition would come up first, we will begin to work with those families soon to answer questions and (if approved) assure a smooth transition.

In August 2029 at the earliest, the recommendation calls for a number of neighborhoods to be rezoned. Importantly, in the following cases, students in grade 1 and older would finish out their years at the school before this change would be made. Current kindergarten students could apply to complete their fifth-grade year at their current school if the family can supply transportation that year. 

• Students living at Kindlewood would move from Summit to Burnley-Moran. 
• Students living north of 250 currently zoned to Burnley-Moran (Locust Grove and Park Street areas) would move to Greenbrier. 
• Students living south of 250 currently zoned to Greenbrier (Rose Hill and Birdwood areas) would move to Trailblazer.
• Students living in the Meadows neighborhood (homes west of 29 currently zoned for Greenbrier) would move to Trailblazer.

Additionally, there are a few parcels in the current Jackson-Via, Johnson, and Summit zones where no students currently live that would be rezoned immediately to avoid impacting any families who move there in the future. 

We will hold a meeting on February 4 to answer questions and begin meeting with impacted families to help them understand their options and make a plan that is good for their family. Please invite your neighbors, especially those with preschoolers who will be impacted by these changes.

Exemptions for 4th/5th Graders, Future Kindergartners, and Younger Siblings
We know you have questions about 4th/5th graders, future kindergartners, and younger siblings. As I shared in the message I sent out Tuesday: If families can supply their own transportation and if space is available at the desired school, families can apply for the following exemptions:

• Any student who would be in 4th or 5th grade when a new school zone goes into effect can apply to stay at their current school to complete their last 1-2 years. 
• Younger siblings could apply to remain at their family’s current school as long as their older sibling attends that school. 
• Future kindergarten families can make a choice – they can apply to begin early at their new school. Alternatively, future kindergartners could attend their family’s current school and then change schools when the official rezoning goes into place. 
  • As noted above, at the time of the official rezoning, students in 4th or 5th grade at the time of a school zone change could apply to remain in their current school
• Keep in mind that the timeline for implementation is dependent on the progress of area residential construction projects; we will give annual updates to the School Board and families.

More Opportunities to Learn and Give Feedback
These are not easy choices. On February 4, we will hold a questions & answers event (5pm, Summit Elementary). We especially invite impacted residents so we can answer questions and begin developing supports, such as allowing incoming residents of Kindlewood to make the move to Burnley-Moran upon move-in if that is the family’s choice. There will also be a public hearing for the community to provide testimony on February 11 (5pm, CHS). 

• Rezoning Community Q&A: Tuesday, February 4, 5-6pm, Summit Elementary. Community members – including future Cville Schools families – are invited to ask questions to make sure they fully understand the proposal. Questions can be broad or very specific about timelines or impact to your family. 
• Rezoning Community Feedback Meeting: Tuesday, February 11, 5-7pm, CHS. Community members are invited to provide in-person comments on the recommendation – or submit comments in writing via a survey that will open around February 7.

Overview of Resources
On the zoning page of our website, you can find maps, watch a video explaining the proposed changes, find a listing of Frequently Asked Questions, and read the comments of my advisory committee about these recommendations. ​

• PDF of chart showing which neighborhoods will be impacted when (as pictured at the top of this email)
• Interactive map with address locator
• Full presentation and materials from our consultant at Woolpert. 
• FAQ on our website

We know many of you will still have questions. Please join us on February 4 at 5pm at Summit. Invite your neighbors, especially those with preschoolers and young kids at home!

Thanks for your continued partnership,

Dr. Gurley