CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — What’s causing delays when it comes to enrollment at some Chesapeake Public Schools?
One parent said they did everything that was asked of her, but still, her son had to miss a few days before attending school.
Brittaney Bush moved to Chesapeake from Newport News this year. She enrolled her son at Oscar Smith High School, submitting all the needed paperwork by Aug. 27 —one week before school started.
“It just was a waiting game,” Bush said. “It seemed like a long waiting game,” Bush said.
Bush said she was waiting for the school system to approve her residency, but started calling the school several times a day until she got the number for someone in the superintendent’s office.
“That’s when she told me that there’s over 500 students in the Chesapeake area that haven’t been enrolled and there are only four people working on the process,” she said. “So she then took my information — my name and my number and she gave it to the person who was working on that specific school.”
It took a few more days, but Bush’s son started class this past Wednesday, missing six days of school. She said other parents in her neighborhood are experiencing the same thing. 10 On Your Side reached out to Chesapeake Public Schools who sent us this statement, reading in part:
“Chesapeake Public Schools (CPS) is experiencing a natural rise in student enrollments during the peak August and September period. Currently, there are 363 pending enrollments across our 47 schools, with 177 submitted after the first day of school on September 3, 2024.”
— Chesapeake Public Schools
They also say that, often, parents forget to submit documents like birth certificates, vaccination records or proof of residency, which can delay enrollment process. The statement also reads:
“To manage this high volume and ensure a smooth and efficient enrollment process, the CPS Office of Enrollment is leveraging additional resources and support. We have engaged our dedicated school-level registrars, our investigative team, extra workforce personnel, and substitute clerical support to address the increased demand effectively.”
— Chesapeake Public Schools
Bush said in her case, and others she knows, the parents have done their part.
“From what I understand, they’re just waiting for the school to contact them,” she said. “And so their kids are not in school.”
On Chesapeake Public Schools’ website, they say their “busy period” for enrollment is mid-August to mid-September. So, it’s possible this is a result of a time crunch. 10 On Your Side reached out Chesapeake Public Schools to confirm that, but we have yet to hear back.
