ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Several parents are now speaking out after Orange County Public Schools announced Tuesday it is moving forward with a plan that could lead to the closure of seven schools, including McCoy Elementary.
Michael Tiorik, whose grandchildren attend McCoy, questioned the district’s planning.
“We built a bunch of schools in the same area,” Tiorik said. “Why did we do that?”
Parents point to the millions of dollars the district spent building a new school nearly 20 minutes away off Dowden Road, along with the opening of Vista Pointe Elementary in 2020. They say that money could have been used to help keep McCoy open.
“They are sad. They are mad,” said Angelica Rujano, president of the McCoy Elementary PTO. “If we knew this in advance, we could have done something for our school.”
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News 6 shared these concerns with the district and its leaders said newer schools were planned years in advance and were not a reaction to current enrollment numbers.
Officials also say McCoy’s building, which was replaced in 2005, is now the oldest in the area and more expensive to maintain.
Superintendent Maria Vazquez says the decision is about student opportunities.
“I want them to know that we’re doing what we believe is best for the children and their opportunities,” Vazquez said.
Parents also raised concerns about possibly merging with lower-graded schools, such as Ventura Elementary, and question why other campuses — including Vista Lakes Elementary, which is operating at about 56% capacity — are not being considered for closure. They also note some of those schools offer specialized programs that McCoy does not.
District leaders say overall enrollment is down about 4% over the last three years, amounting to nearly 10,000 fewer students. Still, parents say the impact goes beyond the numbers.
“We are a community,” one parent said. “Don’t destroy that.”
Parents say they are hoping to learn more about the consolidation plan at upcoming county meetings.
[MORE: Orange County faces school closures, consolidation amid enrollment decline]