Orange County Public Schools is planning to close seven neighborhood schools—Union Park Middle School and Bonneville, Chickasaw, Eccleston, Meadow Woods, McCoy, and Orlo Vista Elementary Schools—displacing over 3,200 students and 270 teachers. These closures, proposed due to declining enrollment and financial pressure, would hit already vulnerable communities the hardest and risk handing public school buildings over to charter companies, rent-free.

We understand that enrollment has declined due to Florida’s expansive voucher program and population shifts. But instead of shutting down community schools, OCPS must consider bold alternatives: consolidating campuses with equity in mind, offering magnet or dual-language programs to attract families, and investing in the unique strengths of each school before resorting to closure.

Parents were given no chance to speak at the December board meeting. Decisions that impact thousands of children and educators must not be made behind closed doors.

OCPS says it is “not looking to sell” these school buildings—but under Florida law, vacant public school buildings must be offered to charter schools for free use. This isn't just about saving money. It's about saving our communities from a slow dismantling of public education in favor of privatization.

We call on the Orange County School Board and Superintendent Maria Vazquez to:

• Halt the current closure plan and hold meaningful public hearings for each affected school.
• Prioritize consolidation strategies that preserve school identity and staff whenever possible.
• Commit to repurposing school buildings for public benefit only, not charter expansion.
• Invest in innovative programs that keep families in the public school system.

Our public schools are worth fighting for. These closures are not inevitable—they are a choice. Join us in calling on OCPS to choose students, teachers, and communities over cost-cutting and privatization.