Washington County holds listening session as board studies move from K–8 to preK–5 + 6–8 model

The Washington County Board of Education held a community listening session to gather public feedback on a district study considering a shift from its current K–8/preK–8 model to a preK–5 elementary structure with separate 6–8 middle schools. Mr. Riddle, reading a statement on behalf of the board, opened the session by stressing, "This is a listening session. We're here to hear your questions, understand your concerns, [and] learn what you value most about our schools." He said comments from four sessions would be consolidated and shared with the full board.

Superintendent Jerry Boyd summarized the scope of the exploratory work and the principal questions before the board, including student learning outcomes, staffing implications, transportation logistics, facility suitability, boundary changes and a realistic timeline. Boyd said the district is assembling data and community feedback to inform the board and reiterated, "no final decision has been made" and any formal action would occur in a properly noticed public meeting. The district plans to publish a consolidated 'what we heard' summary and an updated question log online and provide that information to the full board before any next stage.