Few speak at public hearing over Crozet school transfers

By Brandon Shulleeta

Published: November 6, 2008

Albemarle County school officials are one step closer to reducing crowding at Crozet Elementary School after a public hearing on a plan to shuffle students was met with stony silence.

Carole Hastings, the school division’s special assistant for quality systems, planning and superintendent support, said she thinks the lack of comment at Thursday’s public hearing indicates that the School Board will approve the plan next month.

School officials are proposing to move 100 pupils from Crozet Elementary to Brownsville Elementary. The affected pupils live in the Grayrock area.

School officials chose the Grayrock option in August because of the number of pupils, the proximity of the neighborhoods to Brownsville Elementary and the ability to bus all the students on one route, Hastings said.

The proposal is part of a long-term plan to handle the increase in students in Crozet. Crozet Elementary, which has a capacity for 380 students, has an enrollment of 428.

Because there is little room for expansion at Crozet Elementary, the county is building a $10.27 million expansion to Brownsville Elementary. The expansion, which includes a new wing of classrooms, more kitchen space and a new gymnasium, is slated to be finished in the spring.

There are 402 students at Brownsville Elementary, and the additions will allow for 716, according to a school official.