Durham schools reconsider study on enrollment trends and boundary changes

The Durham Public Schools Board of Education is reconsidering its plan to hire a contractor to study enrollment trends and potential boundary adjustments, according to INDY Week.

This reconsideration comes amid concerns about how the community has been engaged in the process and questions about the contracting firm itself.

Enrollment at Durham Public Schools is declining, reflecting a national pattern linked to lower birth rates and shifts toward private and charter schools.

Current projections estimate that enrollment will drop from just under 30,000 students this year to about 28,000 by 2035, with some schools facing underenrollment while others exceed their capacity.