FCPS will redistrict some Lexington families for a new elementary school

Fayette County Public Schools officials expect to provide a recommendation on redistricting elementary school assignments for some Lexington neighborhoods this spring, making changes as the district opens a new campus.

The effort, which kicked off Feb. 26, focuses on redistricting for the fall 2027 opening of a new elementary school on Greendale Road. The school, Helen Caise Wade Elementary, is named for the first Black student to integrate city schools. The goal is for district officials to present a recommendation to the school board this spring.

The building will feature flexible, collaborative space with a capacity of 750 students in grades Pre-K through 5, but the hope is to have 550-600 students in the school, the district says.

A committee of people from the community and district will work on redistricting throughout April. District officials have not said how many homes are likely to be rezoned.

“We are currently in the early stages of this process and do not have specific household numbers available at this time,” district spokeswoman Miranda Scully said.

Asked if the rezoning will affect any middle or high school students, Scully said the district’s focus is currently just on elementary schools in the area.

The district will create boundaries reflecting the demographic makeup of FCPS students, reduce current overcrowding, eliminate need for portable classrooms and consider future growth or decline, Scully said.

Officials will use natural or man‑made dividing points when possible, such as major roads, geography and neighborhoods.

FCPS said elementary school enrollment in FCPS has seen a decline of 0.07%, though trends vary by attendance area, according to the district website. There has been growth in several housing corridors, such as Athens-Chilesburg, Liberty, Coventry Oak, Breckinridge, Yates, Russell Cave and Booker T. Washington, which helps offset declines in more mature neighborhoods. The district did not provide a period of time for that changing trend.

Areas near elementary schools such as Sandersville, Coventry, Booker T. Washington, and Meadowthorpe are operating near or above their capacity, FCPS’ website shows. The opening of Greendale is expected to help relieve some of this pressure.

The district will continue to provide updates as the planning process moves forward, Scully said. She said everyone can stay informed by following progress at fcps.net/RightSize.

Residents are able to give input on the process in public meetings, and the district will hold its next one April 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the FCPS John D. Price Administration Building.