FAQs

Q. Why does Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) rezone areas?
A. Rezoning accomplishes three purposes: ensures a quality education for children, accommodates fiscal responsibility, and achieves facility efficiencies. Student education should not be hindered by over-crowding or under-capacity issues. In the case of Point O’View Elementary School, over-capacity could hinder a student’s ability to receive adequate attention for learning complex subjects or acquisition of additional programmatic needs. When a child’s education is hindered, VBCPS considers two options. A rezoning strategy accommodates over- and under-capacity membership issues and can bring balance to an area; moreover, it is the least costly strategy. The second option is to build more schools or supplement a school facility with an addition. This is the more costly strategy. The overall objectives are to provide students with a quality education, efficiently use facilities, and retain fiscal responsibility.

Q. What authorizes VBCPS to consider rezoning?
A. In accordance with School Board Policy 5-14, the school division’s Building Utilization Committee (BUC) meets annually to conduct an analysis of its student enrollment trends and their impact on division facilities.

The proposed rezoning plan is a result of this committee’s analysis and is intended to reduce overcrowding due to continued growth trends at Point O’View Elementary School, the imminent impact of two new multifamily developments within the zone, and forecasted under-capacity within adjacent elementary schools.

Q. Which schools are under consideration for rezoning, and which were selected?
A. Point O’View Elementary School is forecast to be over-capacity and new multifamily developments are projected to begin adding students in school year 2025-2026; furthermore, adjacent school zones are under-capacity or are forecast to be under-capacity. To bring balance to the area, Pembroke Elementary School, Arrowhead Elementary School, and Kempsville Elementary School are under rezoning consideration.

Q. How are over- and under-capacity schools determined?
A. Based upon the number of classrooms and students within the classrooms, an optimal ratio of 90% is used as the midpoint for determining membership capacity levels. To ensure students receive a quality education, the capacity range of -10.0% to 10.0% is used to measure the facility’s room availability in delivering the child’s education. When a school reaches a ratio of -10.1%, it is under-capacity. When it reaches 10.1%, it is over-capacity. Too few students in a school affect funding for teaching programs. Too many students at a school limit the ability of students to participate in programs.

Q. What is the current capacity outlook for the proposed schools?
A. Without rezoning the area, Point O’View Elementary School with the new multifamily developments is forecast to be 32.3% over-capacity; Pembroke Elementary School is forecast to be -21.7% under-capacity; Arrowhead Elementary School is forecast to be consistently at the lower bound of in-range capacity with availability to acquire additional students (-8.3% to -9.0%); and Kempsville Elementary School is forecast to be -40.3% under-capacity.

Q. With the proposed rezoning, will all zones affected be within the capacity range for the next three years?
A. All scenarios will be within range for all zones affected.

Q. Will middle and high school zones, fed by the proposed rezoned elementary schools, be adjusted?
A. Middle school zones would be adjusted to align with the newly rezoned elementary school zones. Affected middle schools include Larkspur Middle School, Independence Middle School, and Kempsville Middle School. No high school zones will be adjusted.

Q. Are there any exceptions for students desiring to stay at their current school?
A. During the initial rezoning year (2025-2026), 5^th grade students will have an option to remain at their pre-rezoned school. If a student chooses to stay in their current school, parental transportation will need to be provided. For the middle school rezoning, the caveat applies to 8^th grade students.

Q. Will transportation be offered for rezoned students?
A. The Office of Transportation and Fleet Management Services has been notified of potential bus route changes. The office will utilize current transportation policies for transporting rezoned students. By rezoning students, transportation has identified small efficiencies.

Q. Where can I find out whether my child is affected?
A. The Office of Facilities Services has prepared fact sheets. The fact sheet identifies roads and addresses affected. The document can be found here: Elementary School | Middle School.

Q. What additional benefits can parents expect from the rezoning initiative?
A. By bringing Point O'View Elementary School within capacity range, capacity adjustments could also bring other special programs to the school. In addition, student class size reductions will foster student assimilation.

Q. How many active students will be affected?
A. The number of elementary school students affected would be 288. The number of active students affected by the middle school rezoning would be 141.

Q. How many new development students are estimated to attend Point O’View Elementary School?
A. The multifamily complex on the former Virginian-Pilot parcel is expected to generate about 35 additional students over a three-year period. The new multifamily development near N. Witchduck Road, where the former recycling plant was located, is estimating 49 new students over the same period.

Q. When will the proposed rezoning changes take effect?
A. To coincide with the estimated completion of the new multifamily developments, the expected rezoning would become effective in school year 2025-2026.

Q. When will the School Board make its final rezoning decision?
A. The proposed date for public input is November 12, 2024, and the proposed date for action by the School Board is December 10, 2024.

Q. When are public information meetings scheduled?
A. The public information meetings are scheduled as follows:

• Sept. 30, 2024: 6:30 p.m. at Larkspur Middle School (auditorium)
• Oct. 1, 2024: 5 p.m. at Point O’View Elementary School (cafeteria)

Q. If the FAQ does not address my question, who do I contact?
A. There are three contact alternatives.

1. Call the Demographics and Planning Division at 757-263-1055, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (if necessary, feel free to leave a message).
2. Send an email to vbschzones@vbschools.com.
3. Attend one of the public information meetings.