Beaufort County Schools will be trying something new for the 2013-2014 school year. It will limit enrollment to 90 percent of its actual capacity.
In a message to parents, Superintendent Don Phipps said many of the schools would reach or surpass capacity if enrollment is not capped.

“This creates hardships in these schools where space is limited,” he said.

If the school reaches capacity and a new student moves into the area, the school would have to add an additional classroom or transfer a student to one of the other schools, he noted. To avoid that situation, the school system will limit the number of voluntary transfers in the county and cap transfers once a school reaches 90 percent capacity.

“Any requests that are made from this point forward, to a school that is closed for transfers, will be denied,” Phipps said. “This allows these schools to better serve the students who legally reside in the school’s attendance boundaries.”

Requests submitted before Monday’s announcement would remain under consideration.

As of Monday, seven area schools had reached 90 percent capacity. On that list are Washington High School, P.S. Jones Middle School, John Small Elementary School, John Cotton Tayloe, Elementary School, Eastern Elementary School, Bath Elementary School and Chocowinity Middle School. Chocowinity Primary School is nearing capacity.

“We will consider requests if siblings are enrolled in a school as well as other extraordinary circumstances,” Phipps said.

For updates on schools closed to transfers or to learn more about making transfers, go to www. Beaufort.k12.nc.us or call the BCS central office at 975-2752.