The Orange County School Board unanimously voted Tuesday night to close seven under-enrolled schools, citing declining enrollment, state voucher programs, lower birth rates and shifting population patterns that have strained the district’s budget.
The closures, finalized after a public hearing at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, affect Union Park Middle School and six elementary schools: Bonneville, Orlo Vista, Chickasaw, Eccleston, McCoy and Meadow Woods. The schools will shut down at the end of the current year, with students rezoned to nearby campuses beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
District officials said the move affects more than 3,000 students and families. Rezoning plans include:
• Bonneville Elementary students to Columbia or East Lake Elementary.
• Union Park Middle students to Glenridge, Legacy, Odyssey, Roberto Clemente or Discovery Middle.
• Chickasaw Elementary to Deerwood or Engelwood Elementary.
• Eccleston Elementary to Washington Shores Elementary.
• McCoy Elementary to Shenandoah or Ventura Elementary.
• Meadow Woods Elementary to Southwood or Wyndham Lakes Elementary.
• Orlo Vista Elementary to Eagles Nest, Ivey Lane or Oak Hill Elementary.
Board Chair Teresa Jacobs attributed the trend to families choosing charter or private options via vouchers, declining birth rates, high housing costs and demographic shifts in established neighborhoods. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez projected another 5,000-student drop next year, warning more closures could follow after this year’s roughly 5,500-student loss, which cut the budget by about $41 million.
Parents and advocates expressed disappointment during the hearing. Eccleston Elementary parent Michelle Harris called her school a “family unit” in a safe environment and said she is exploring alternatives beyond the assigned rezoning. Colston Frye of the Social Equity through Education Alliance warned that transfers disrupt academic performance, social stability, attendance and transportation routines.
Board members described the decision as painful but unavoidable due to fixed operating costs amid shrinking enrollment. Member Vicki-Elaine Felder became emotional discussing efforts to save Eccleston Elementary.
The board voted separately and unanimously on each school’s closure proposal. Open enrollment for affected students begins soon, with closures effective August 2026.The Orange County School Board unanim voted Tuesday night to close seven under-enrolled schools, citing declining enrollment, state voucher programs, lower birth rates and shifting population patterns that have strained the district’s budget.
The closures, finalized after a public hearing at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, affect Union Park Middle School and six elementary schools: Bonneville, Orlo Vista, Chickasaw, Eccleston, McCoy and Meadow Woods. The schools will shut down at the end of the current year, with students rezoned to nearby campuses beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
District officials said the move affects more than 3,000 students and families. Rezoning plans include:
• Bonneville Elementary students to Columbia or East Lake Elementary.
• Union Park Middle students to Glenridge, Legacy, Odyssey, Roberto Clemente or Discovery Middle.
• Chickasaw Elementary to Deerwood or Engelwood Elementary.
• Eccleston Elementary to Washington Shores Elementary.
• McCoy Elementary to Shenandoah or Ventura Elementary.
• Meadow Woods Elementary to Southwood or Wyndham Lakes Elementary.
• Orlo Vista Elementary to Eagles Nest, Ivey Lane or Oak Hill Elementary.
Board Chair Teresa Jacobs attributed the trend to families choosing charter or private options via vouchers, declining birth rates, high housing costs and demographic shifts in established neighborhoods. Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez projected another 5,000-student drop next year, warning more closures could follow after this year’s roughly 5,500-student loss, which cut the budget by about $41 million.
Parents and advocates expressed disappointment during the hearing. Eccleston Elementary parent Michelle Harris called her school a “family unit” in a safe environment and said she is exploring alternatives beyond the assigned rezoning. Colston Frye of the Social Equity through Education Alliance warned that transfers disrupt academic performance, social stability, attendance and transportation routines.
Board members described the decision as painful but unavoidable due to fixed operating costs amid shrinking enrollment. Member Vicki-Elaine Felder became emotional discussing efforts to save Eccleston Elementary.
The board voted separately and unanimously on each school’s closure proposal. Open enrollment for affected students begins soon, with closures effective August 2026.
