Hanover County Public Schools Boundary Adjustment Process
Hanover County Public Schools is currently undergoing a boundary adjustment process as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our school buildings support the current and future needs of our school community.
This webpage serves as your central hub for information regarding the ongoing boundary line evaluation and adjustment process. You will find important dates, opportunities to provide input, the specific maps (once drafted), and more relevant information to help ensure you are fully informed throughout this process.
We are committed to working with our families during this process and appreciate your partnership and collaboration.
Project Overview
As part of a long-term and more comprehensive solution to addressing current and future student enrollment and capacity across schools in the division, HCPS is undergoing a boundary line evaluation and adjustment process. This process will help to ensure that we continue to serve our students in facilities that are used in the most effective and efficient way possible.
HCPS has engaged a third-party vendor, MGT, to lead this process, utilizing their expertise in school boundary analysis and associated community engagement. MGT representatives will draft the adjustment options, lead the community meetings, present to the School Board, and more.
Timeline
We are in the initial phase of the process, which involves data collection and analysis. Draft boundary options are expected to be published in early 2025 with community meetings to follow.
The final options will be published in advance of their presentation to the School Board, which is currently slated for the School Board’s March business meeting. A vote on the boundary adjustments is currently scheduled to take place at the School Board’s April business meeting.
With the School Board approval, the adjustments would take effect for the 2025-26 school year.
Here is more information about the process to-date:
- October 3, 2024: HCPS announces the start of boundary evaluation and adjustment process.
- October 8, 2024: MGT, the third-party vendor hired to lead the process, provides a high-level overview of the process to the Hanover County School Board. The presentation can be found on BoardDocs.
Community Engagement
We understand that there will be significant interest in this process. Please be assured that your valued input and partnership will be a key part of informing this important work. We are committed to keeping you fully informed as potential adjustments are proposed and as community meetings are scheduled.
We anticipate holding several community meetings in early 2025 to present draft boundary options and to solicit your input.
This area will include specific information regarding the community meetings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is HCPS adjusting school boundaries?
As you may know, HCPS, along with the Hanover County School Board, have worked to address a significant increase in enrollment at Cool Spring Elementary School, including the installation of temporary learning cottages. As part of a long-term and more comprehensive solution to address student enrollment and capacity across schools in the division, a boundary line adjustment process is needed.
What is the process for adjusting the boundaries?
The process follows four steps: Initiation, Preparation, Boundary Options, and Recommendation/Finalization.
In the first step, data is gathered and analyzed, among other things. In the second step, forecasts are drafted and boundary options are developed. The first two steps are expected to be completed before the end of 2024.
In the third step, draft boundary options are published and community engagement sessions are held. In the fourth step, the final boundary options are published and the School Board votes on the adjustments. The final two steps are scheduled to take place between January and April 2025.
What is the timeline for the adjustments taking effect?
With the School Board approval, the adjustments would take effect for the 2025-26 school year.
Will middle and high school zones be impacted?
As noted above, we are in the initial phase of this process. While there is much work to be done, the primary focus of this effort will be elementary schools. Middle and high school data is still being analyzed and, given the comprehensive nature of this boundary line review, adjustments, if necessary, may need to be made to our secondary school zones.
We are committed to keeping you informed throughout this process.
Where can I find the proposed boundary adjustment maps?
While no proposed boundary adjustments are currently drafted, you will be able to access the specific draft options via this webpage. Please stay tuned!
Will families and community members have the opportunity to review the proposed adjustments and share input?
Yes. We deeply value the input of our families and community members, and will offer opportunities in which you will be able to share feedback throughout this process. We will communicate frequently and broadly with our families and greater community to help ensure all relevant information is communicated, including opportunities to provide feedback.
Contact
If you have any questions about this process, please contact [email protected].