ORLANDO, Fla. — As Orange County Public Schools deals with declining enrollment, the district is considering the closure and consolidation of seven district schools.

What You Need To Know

Orange County Public Schools leaders have said they may shut down seven schools because of declining enrollment

The district sent out a possible consolidation and optimization update for the seven schools

Parents, families and elected officials are hoping to work with OCPS to find a way to keep these schools open

Community meetings are being held on possible school closures in Orange County beginning Jan. 14 at Union Park Middle School

One of those schools, Bonneville Elementary School, has been open since 1961 and has served thousands of families in east Orange County.

It’s a place that has a deep connection to many families in the community.

“I know a lot of the parents that send their kids here, went here as well,” said parent Amanda Weber. “I met my husband here.”

But OCPS has cited low attendance as the reason their beloved school is one of seven in Orange County that the school board has identified for potential closure.

For the students who still attend classes there, like Amanda Weber’s son, Logan Canada, the school means more than most think.

“I’m upset and I don’t want the school to close. I love this school, you know,” said Logan.

OCPS has not made a decision about closing any of the schools yet.

Weber says she learned the news at a meeting at Bonneville Elementary but left with more questions than answers.

So, she decided to set up a petition to save it, which has garnered more than a thousand signatures.

“You know, the very next morning I’m at work and I’m just like … something has got to be done,” Weber said. “We can’t let this happen and not even try.”

On Tuesday, OCPS sent out an email to its staff with a facility consolidation and optimization update showcasing all seven schools and their potential uses.

Bonneville is shown potentially to be converted in 2027.

Another school on the list, Eccleston Elementary, could potentially become a pediatric health facility.

Orange County Commissioner Michael Scott represents the district Eccleston is in, and he says he sees the value of schools and medical facilities, but the question is about priorities.

“I think that again, it shouldn’t be why should we close the school, but it’s about why we should keep this school open,” said Commissioner Scott. “And I hope that the members of this community, the parents, families and stakeholders talk about the importance of this particular school.”

It’s a mindset that Weber is taking head-on as she worries about the potential loss of relationships between students and staff, especially the most vulnerable.

“But specifically, for us parents with IEPs and 504’s for our children. It’s a toss-up because we don’t know what’s going to happen. And that’s scary,” Weber shared.

Spectrum News reached out to OCPS for comment, but with no final decisions made at this point, they did not want to comment at this time.

The school board also plans to hold community meetings at each of the seven schools starting next week:

Union Park Middle School – Jan. 14 at 6 p.m.
Bonneville Elementary School – Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.
Orlo Vista Elementary School – Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.
Chickasaw Elementary School – Jan. 21 at 6 p.m.
Eccleston Elementary School – Jan. 21 at 6 p.m.
McCoy Elementary School – Jan. 22 at 6 p.m.
Meadow Woods Elementary School – Jan. 22 at 6 p.m.

The next OCPS School Board meeting is January 13 at 5 p.m.