Fort Mill Students Could See Changes Next Year with New Attendance Zones
In the heart of Fort Mill, excitement is building as parents get their first glimpse of proposed new attendance zones for schools in the area. The Fort Mill School District is rolling out innovative plans that could change where more than 2,700 students attend school starting next year. Parents eager to know if their home lies within the new zones can now access online maps to find out.
What’s New on the Horizon?
On a recent Tuesday night, Matthew Cropper from Cropper GIS presented a range of new attendance options to the school board. The proposed realignment is necessary to accommodate the upcoming openings of Flint Hill Elementary School next year and Flint Hill Middle School in 2026. Both schools are being built along Gold Hill Road, a location that has drawn its fair share of community concern due to the nearby Silfab Solar manufacturing site.
The new schools aim to enroll 921 students at the elementary level and 618 students at the middle school, a decision linked closely to the district’s commitment to improving educational services as the community grows.
Community Concerns About Silfab Solar
However, the new school sites are not just a point of excitement; they are at the center of a heated debate. The other side of this story involves the controversial Silfab Solar manufacturing site, which is stirring up a host of concerns among local residents. Many fear that the chemicals used in producing solar panels could pose a risk to the environment, especially with the schools located so close by.
The company insists that their $150 million project meets all safety regulations, but residents are not easily convinced. Town meetings have seen a flood of residents speaking out against the zoning decisions that allow Silfab’s operations to move forward. Meanwhile, York County maintains its stance that Silfab should be permitted to operate on the designated land.
In the meantime, the school district is waiting for a final emergency response plan from the county regarding the Silfab site. During the school board meeting, spokesperson Joe Burke stressed that there would be no activity at the Silfab site until plans approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are in place.
Anticipating Change for Families
The newly proposed lines must consider various factors including geography, population density, and the flow of students between different levels of schooling. Cropper emphasized that even with careful planning, many families will be affected as the district prepares to redistribute enrollment due to expected growth.
For those wondering which students are likely to attend the new Flint Hill schools, it turns out the plans draw primarily from Springfield Elementary but also include students from Pleasant Knoll and Sugar Creek Elementary Schools. Once both Flint Hill schools are open, all elementary students will feed into the new middle school, which will take students from two existing middle schools, namely Pleasant Knoll Middle and Springfield Middle.
Next Steps for the Community
The Fort Mill School Board has yet to vote on the proposed attendance zones. They are keen to gather community feedback before making any final decisions, which are expected in about a month. Parents can provide their input via email or check interactive maps at croppermap.com/fort_mill, which will be available by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
As Fort Mill continues to evolve with new developments like these schools, the community appears to be at a crossroads, balancing the joy of new educational opportunities and the genuine concerns over environmental safety. With 20 schools serving the vibrant towns of Fort Mill, Tega Cay, and parts of unincorporated York County, the upcoming changes promise to bring the community closer together as they navigate this exciting—and sensitive—new chapter.
