ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The recent announcement from Orange County Public Schools regarding the potential closure of seven schools, including McCoy Elementary, has sparked significant concern among parents in the community. The district’s decision has left many questioning the strategic planning behind the move.

Michael Tiorik, a grandparent of children attending McCoy, expressed his skepticism about the district’s planning processes. “We built a bunch of schools in the same area,” Tiorik remarked. “Why did we do that?” His sentiment echoes the broader community’s confusion and frustration over the allocation of resources.

Parents have highlighted the substantial financial investment made by the district in constructing new schools, such as one located nearly 20 minutes away on Dowden Road, and the opening of Vista Pointe Elementary in 2020. They argue that these funds might have been better spent on maintaining existing schools like McCoy.

Angelica Rujano, president of the McCoy Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization, encapsulated the emotions running through the school community: “They are sad. They are mad,” she said. “If we knew this in advance, we could have done something for our school.”

In response to these concerns, News 6 reached out to district leaders, who clarified that the planning for newer schools was conducted several years ago and was not influenced by current enrollment figures. This explanation, however, may offer little comfort to those worried about the potential loss of their community school.

News 6 shared these concerns with the district and its leaders said newer schools were planned years in advance and were not a reaction to current enrollment numbers.

Officials also say McCoy’s building, which was replaced in 2005, is now the oldest in the area and more expensive to maintain.

Superintendent Maria Vazquez says the decision is about student opportunities.

“I want them to know that we’re doing what we believe is best for the children and their opportunities,” Vazquez said.

Parents also raised concerns about possibly merging with lower-graded schools, such as Ventura Elementary, and question why other campuses — including Vista Lakes Elementary, which is operating at about 56% capacity — are not being considered for closure. They also note some of those schools offer specialized programs that McCoy does not.

District leaders say overall enrollment is down about 4% over the last three years, amounting to nearly 10,000 fewer students. Still, parents say the impact goes beyond the numbers.

“We are a community,” one parent said. “Don’t destroy that.”

Parents say they are hoping to learn more about the consolidation plan at upcoming county meetings.

[MORE: Orange County faces school closures, consolidation amid enrollment decline]