Ocean Springs superintendent talks possible new attendance boundaries
OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WXXV) — Coming next school year, some Ocean Springs elementary students could be attending new schools after the school district announced its plans to propose updated attendance zones.
The school district plans to redraw boundaries for its three elementary schools, citing a significant imbalance in student enrollment as a reason for the change.
“Last year when we started doing the bond and strategic planning, there was overwhelming support to move our system in Ocean Springs from a K-3 to a K-4. So, we just thought this was great timing to be able to balance enrollment, make a smooth transition from K-3 to K-4, and also take care of the expected growth in the future,” said Ocean Springs School District Superintendent Michael Lindsey.
This is expected to impact around 270-290 or 12-15% of 4th grade students and their families in the coming year.
The district is also currently working on those bond construction projects, including expansions at two of the elementary schools – Oak Park and Pecan Park. These additions are expected to further improve the schools’ ability to take in more students
“We’re building nine extra classrooms at Oak Park, nine classrooms at Pecan Park. Those will help house the fourth graders that will be moving down from the upper so that we keep our teacher-student class ratio low,” said Lindsey. “It’s more of a timing thing. We’re not doing this because we went to a K-4. I think we’re doing it now because it helps with the transition of the enrollment growth, the future growth, and the transition to K-4. It just made sense.”
Families who will be affected by this change have already been notified, according to the school district, but the district is encouraging those who have questions or concerns to contact them directly.
“We’re still welcoming feedback. We gave parents our phone number to reach out if they wanted to meet in person. I’ll make myself available to meet in person for any conferences,” Lindsey said. “We’re just trying to make sure that we open the lines of communication to make sure that all of our parents get their questions answered. We will be working with them from now until the beginning of next school year about the transition and keeping them updated about what the plans the school district has.”
The OSSD is hoping to submit its proposal for the new zones during the Board of Trustees meeting on December 9, but Superintendent Lindsey says they are still working out the details. We will of course keep you updated as this develops.
