Harrisonburg City Public Schools is grappling with a surge in preschool applications that exceeds available space. RaMona Stahl, the welcome center director, highlighted this issue during Tuesday night’s school board meeting, attended by around 60 people.
As of August 24, there were 454 preschool applications, with numbers expected to rise in the coming weeks. However, the district lacks sufficient slots for all applicants. Since pre-K is not mandatory, enrollment is determined by a scoring system.
Local community partners like James Madison University’s Young Children’s Program and Harrisonburg-Rockingham Day Care have offered some support. Previously, the district could count on Generations Crossing, Roberta Webb Early Education Center, and Shenandoah Valley Child Development Center, but all three have closed due to staffing shortages, Stahl explained.
The discussion briefly shifted to the city’s housing shortage. Superintendent Michael G. Richards expressed appreciation for the city council’s efforts to address this issue. He presented a chart detailing current and proposed construction projects in Harrisonburg. Richards noted that new housing developments impact school needs, particularly given the presence of James Madison University, which also requires housing.
With schools already overcrowded, there is a possibility of redistributing students to less crowded schools like Bluestone. This issue was not covered in detail at the meeting.
Board member Deb Fitzgerald mentioned Quarry Heights, a new project that could add 950 housing units, potentially increasing the number of students. She also pointed out concerns about the Bluestone Town Development, which proposes 897 units.
Fitzgerald warned that the simultaneous development of multiple housing projects could significantly impact student enrollment, raising concerns about how the school system will handle the influx.
Richards outlined three strategies the board may use to address growth:
Reassigning Students: The first step is to relocate students to balance enrollment and manage resources efficiently.
Expanding Existing Schools: The next option involves hiring an architect to explore the feasibility of expanding current school facilities.
Building New Schools: If necessary, the final step is constructing new schools.
The board’s goal is to avoid the immediate need for new school construction, but Richards acknowledged that rapid city growth may make this inevitable. Quarry Heights could contribute between 350 and 450 new students to Waterman and Bluestone schools, surpassing the expected impact of the Bluestone Town Center.
Board member Tom Domonoske suggested not panicking, as Quarry Heights and Bluestone Town Center are in early phases of development. He recommended obtaining detailed schedules for these projects.
Richards agreed, emphasizing the importance of gathering data from the city to make informed decisions. Board Chair Andy L. Kohen underscored the need for public awareness, noting the lengthy process of building new schools.
“We don’t build schools overnight,” Kohen said. “It takes several years from site selection to the completion of a new school. We need to plan ahead.”