Officials approve rezoning for 2 ‘extremely close’ Warner Robins schools

The Houston County Board of Education has unanimously approved a rezoning proposal that will change school assignments for more than 470 elementary students in the 2026-2027 academic year, meaning some will attend a different school.

Parkwood Elementary and Westside Elementary will be combined into a unified attendance zone serving both schools, beginning in August 2026, school officials said.

This move will turn Parkwood Elementary into Parkwood Primary, which will serve Pre-K through second grade students, while Westside Elementary will serve third through fifth graders.

“Those schools are extremely close in proximity,” district spokesperson Jennifer Jones said. “This zoning change combined the zones and now instead of attending one or the other, students will attend both.”

As of Nov. 13, 179 Westside Elementary Pre-K through first-grade students will move to Parkwood Primary, and 292 Parkwood Elementary second- through fourth-grade students will switch to Westside Elementary.

Houston County School District Superintendent Richard Rogers said the consolidated zone addresses a key challenge for families who move within the area.

Previously, students might have to switch schools when their families relocated. The larger combined zone allows families to move anywhere within the boundaries without requiring a school change, he added.

“I’m very excited about that. That is going to meet the needs of our families because it just gives more freedom to move and keep their babies in the same schools,” Rogers said.

In a letter sent home to families in July, Parkwood Elementary Principal Kelly Munn said the rezoned plan will also help to build stronger friendships and a better school community.

Rogers said that the primary schools can focus specifically on foundational reading skills and phonics, while elementary schools concentrate on reading comprehension and application.

School officials also say this attendance zone adjustment will benefit students academically, as it allows for more targeted professional development for teachers.

Rogers said that with more students and teachers per grade level, “we can really meet the varied academic and social needs of our students,” by allowing educators to focus on gifted, special education and intervention programs.

The district held parent meetings in September to address concerns, particularly regarding transportation, Rogers said.

Transportation will be streamlined through combined bus routes serving both schools, allowing students who live less than 1.5 miles away — and who previously had to walk — to receive bus service, Rogers said.

While previous school zone adjustments in the district addressed overcrowding and population shifts, Rogers said this rezone is strictly because “the primary-elementary model has proven successful in other schools across the district,” naming Matt Arthur Primary and Matt Arthur Elementary as examples.

The attendance zone proposal was initially introduced to board members in October and tabled for a month for review prior to the recent November vote.

Rogers said he is proud of the district’s board of education for approving the measure.

“They made this decision because they know it’s what’s best for our students and their families,” he said. “It’s so important for me that everyone understands that we are making decisions that’s best for these students in this community, and we are excited about this.”

This story was originally published November 14, 2025 at 5:20 AM.