Fort Mill Prepares for Attendance Zone Adjustments with New School Openings on Horizon

Fort Mill Faces Attendance Zone Changes Amid New School Openings

Fort Mill, South Carolina, is bracing for significant changes in school attendance zones as the district prepares for the opening of Flint Hill Elementary School next year and Flint Hill Middle School in 2026.

Who is Affected?

Approximately 2,400 students across elementary and middle schools will be impacted by the proposed attendance line changes following recent recommendations from the school board. These changes predominantly affect neighborhoods near the new campus, as well as other zones across the district.

What is Happening?

The Fort Mill School Board reviewed new attendance zone recommendations at a meeting on Tuesday night. These recommendations were prompted by feedback from parents regarding the impact of the new schools on their communities. Prior proposals could have affected about 2,700 students, but the latest adjustments aim to reduce that number, reflecting ongoing public input.

Where Will the Changes Occur?

Flint Hill Elementary will be located on Gold Hill Road, next to the controversial Silfab Solar site, which has raised environmental and safety concerns among nearby residents. The school will share the campus with Flint Hill Middle School upon its opening.

When Will These Changes Take Effect?

The attendance zone revisions are expected to take effect in the 2024-2025 school year for Flint Hill Elementary and 2026 for Flint Hill Middle School. The school board is set to make a final decision on these changes on November 5.

Why Are Parents Concerned?

Many parents have reached out to the school board to express concerns regarding the decision to build schools in a light industrial area. A group of concerned residents sent a letter with 115 signatures asking the district to justify its decision, especially in light of the ongoing legal disputes involving Silfab Solar. There are two active court cases, one challenging Silfab’s manufacturing activities and another seeking to halt its operations altogether.

What Are the Current Attendance Proposals?

The updated plan reassigns several neighborhoods: Zoar Road will now attend Tega Cay Elementary, while The Reserve at Gold Hill will revert to Pleasant Knoll Elementary. Additionally, the Holbrook Road area will go back to Forest Creek Middle School, undoing previous proposed changes.

Capacity Considerations

The new Flint Hill schools are designed to accommodate 1,200 students each. Current projections estimate Flint Hill Elementary will start with 840 students, while Flint Hill Middle will begin with 568 students. The district expects to balance enrollment across its schools with the new plan, bringing many elementary schools below 79% capacity.

Administrative Responses to Concerns

In light of parent concerns, district officials have stated that all schools, including Flint Hill, will have complete emergency response plans. These plans will be in line with those at existing schools near similar industrial properties. Residents raised alarms about chemical storage at Silfab, emphasizing the importance of knowing safety protocols.

Next Steps

As discussions continue, parents can provide feedback on the proposed attendance lines via email. The administration plans to incorporate community input while finalizing the attendance zones. The latest recommended attendance lines can be found on the district’s official website.

As Fort Mill prepares for a transformative period with the introduction of new schools, both parents and the district are focused on ensuring a safe and organized transition for all students.