The Lake County School Board voted 3-0 Monday night to move forward with a plan to combine Oak Park Middle School and Carver Middle School into a single comprehensive middle school on the Carver campus beginning with the 2027-28 school year. Board members Marc Dodd and Dr. Stephanie Luke were absent.

The approval follows a May 27 workshop where district staff presented the concept, as well as community open house meetings held June 2 at Oak Park Middle School and June 4 at Carver Middle School. District leaders met with parents, staff, students, community members and representatives from Leesburg Community Association to discuss the proposal and gather feedback.

Deputy Superintendent Chad Farnsworth told board members the response from the community was positive.

“We had good attendance and had parents come out and had a few students,” he says. “We had staff members, community members, representatives from LCA. The overall consensus was enthusiastic.”

District leaders say combining the two schools will provide students with expanded academic and extracurricular opportunities by bringing together resources, staff and programs on one campus.

Currently, enrollment at both schools limits the number of electives and specialized programs that can be offered. Under the approved plan, students could gain access to additional opportunities such as culinary arts, digital design, robotics and other courses connected to Career and Technical Education pathways available at Leesburg High School. The district is also exploring the addition of Pre-AICE coursework to help prepare students for the Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education program offered at the high school level.

“I think everybody realizes the commitment that we have, making sure that those middle school students of Leesburg area are able to have all the available opportunities that they deserve and enhance programs,” Farnsworth says. “I think it’s really going to be a great change.”

The board’s action also allows the district to begin the design and construction process needed to prepare the Carver campus for the transition. Plans include converting space into a new media center, remodeling Building 6 into classroom space and expanding the campus by approximately 100 student stations. Demolition of the future media center area is expected to begin in July.

Principals from both schools appeared before the board wearing matching “Stronger Together” shirts and voiced their support for the project.

“We stand in solidarity and unity in the belief of this project, believing that it is something that is best for students that will provide better opportunities for our students,” Oak Park Middle School Principal Dr. Langley says. “We may be two teams, two traditions, but we’re one community.”

Board member Tyler Brandeburg, who attended both community meetings, said the discussions reinforced the value of the proposal.

“As a proud product of Carver Middle School and Leesburg High School, I think this does do nothing but help our kids in Leesburg continue to shine,” he says. “As many people have stated throughout this process, they all go to Leesburg High School together. Why not get them together a little sooner to squash them of the normal middle school disagreements that come about. It really gives us a good plan to do what’s best for kids and provides some incredible opportunities.”

Following the vote, Superintendent Diane Kornegay praised district leaders and school administrators who helped develop and present the plan.

“Your passion is undeniable,” Kornegay says. “Thank you for what you do every day, for not only your community, but for every child in that community.”

Both schools will continue operating independently during the 2026-27 school year while renovations and transition planning take place. District officials said students, families, staff and community stakeholders will continue to be involved in shaping the educational, athletic and cultural direction of the combined school.

District officials have previously stated there are no plans to change the Carver Middle School name. The combined middle school is scheduled to open in Fall 2027.