Henrico school board puts boundary adjustment conversations on hold

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- 8News is continuing our coverage of Henrico County Public Schools' potential plans to address overcrowding. However, after a recent school board meeting, it looks like there won't be any movement for a while.

"Tabling it to the fall is the worst outcome for the community," said Henrico County Board of Supervisors Chair Marcie Shea.

However, in a three-to-two vote, Henrico County's School Board put those re-zoning conversations on hold.

"After being over capacity seven years... to continue having to wait in limbo for clarity," Shea said.

Last month, 8News broke down proposals addressing overcrowding in Henrico's public school system. The possible plan was to re-zone some Douglas Freeman High School students to Godwin High School instead, and some Highland Springs students to Henrico High School.

"I think that we have to carefully understand unintended consequences," said Henrico County School Board Varina District Representative Alicia Atkins. "I think this is like putting rubber wheels on an electric train."

There were questions over how to make this all happen logistically. Now, school system officials have come forward with two transportation options.

The first option would have two routes running through impacted neighborhoods. That way, students who opt out of switching schools -- through a proposed "grandfathering" option -- still have a bus pickup near their homes. This would require six new bus drivers and would cost $2.5 million in total.

"That is not insignificant," said Henrico County School Board's Tuckahoe District Representative Madison Irving.

The second option requires students who opt out of the switch to use personal transportation or Henrico's "hub system." Buses would only operate in accordance with the new re-zoning options.

"This leverages existing resources, but it does increase ride time for students and may require additional staff for supervision at those hub stations," Henrico officials explained.

Some board members said they think some sort of action needs to happen quickly, whereas others suggested this is a bigger topic that needs more time.

"I'm going to be very clear that I think it's asinine," Atkins said when initially responding to the proposed transportation options.

Again, the board voted to put this conversation on hold until the fall, rather than opening it up for public discussion just yet.

In addition to presenting transportation options, we also got a better look at future enrollment projections at last week's work session. According to the school system, they are projected to increase in terms of enrollment by about 2% between 2024 and 2028.