Durham’s new redistricting plan to send thousands of elementary students to new schools

Thousands of Durham Public Schools elementary students will be switching schools in the 2024-25 academic year after Thursday’s school board meeting.

In a 6-1 vote, the Durham school board adopted the new “Growing Together” redistricting plan that has been in the making for years.

Despite dozens of parents and teachers speaking against it at the last two board meetings, the board decided to move forward with the plan, citing the need for increased equity across the district.

“The changes that we are making now will enhance opportunities for our current students and families, and for the families and students we will serve in the future,” Superintendent Pascal Mubenga said.

The plan will create five regions designed to increase pre-K seats and special program classrooms, reduce transportation time, increase access to magnet schools and specialized services and provide a geographical base for students through “neighborhood schools.”

The regions will have year-round schools and Dual Language Immersion programs available by application, and additional Montessori and International Baccalaureate programs will be offered county-wide, the school system stated in a news release Thursday night.

“This historic vote updates a school assignment plan that largely has been in place for three decades,” the release stated.

Fewer students affected

At first DPS said more than 6,000 elementary students could be impacted by the change.

However at the board’s Jan. 12 meeting, Mathew Palmer, director of school assignments, recommended a plan that would allow fourth and fifth graders in 2024-25 to finish elementary school at their current school. This would reduce the number of affected students to more than 2,000.

Board Chair Bettina Umstead called for support and collaboration as the district moves forward. “We’re going to need our community to partner with us,” she said in the release.

Board Member Natalie Beyer said once parents see the new maps, more will support the boundaries.

“I think once people see it, they’re with us, much more profoundly understanding the ‘why,’’ she said.

The new interactive map is available on DPS’s website.

Although Beyer noted potential benefits of delaying the vote another week, the board moved ahead with only member Millicent Rogers voting against the plan.

Redistricting will go into effect in the fall of 2024.