Norfolk Families Fight Rezoning Plan That Could Displace ESL Students

Community rallies to keep English language learners at Mary Calcott Elementary as district considers 'pragmatic' school closures.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Norfolk families are urging the school board to rethink rezoning plans they fear will move many English-as-a-Second-Language students away from Mary Calcott Elementary, a school they see as a second home. Parents, teachers and students say shifting these children could disrupt hard-won language support and community bonds, while district leaders stress the need for difficult but 'pragmatic' decisions on closures and zoning.

Why it matters

Mary Calcott Elementary has become a hub for Norfolk's ESL community, providing critical language support and fostering a sense of belonging for immigrant families. Uprooting these students could undermine years of progress in helping them integrate and succeed academically.

The details

The proposed rezoning would shift many ESL students away from Mary Calcott, which has specialized programs and staff to support English language learners. Parents, teachers and students argue this would disrupt the tight-knit community and hard-won progress these students have made. However, Norfolk school district leaders say difficult decisions on school closures and rezoning are necessary to address budget constraints and shifting enrollment patterns across the city.

  • The Norfolk School Board is expected to vote on the rezoning plan in the coming weeks.

The players

Mary Calcott Elementary

A Norfolk public school that has become a hub for the city's ESL community, providing specialized language support programs.

Norfolk School District

The public school system that is considering rezoning plans that could displace many English language learners from Mary Calcott Elementary.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The Norfolk School Board is expected to vote on the rezoning plan in the coming weeks, which will determine whether the ESL community at Mary Calcott Elementary will be disrupted.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of maintaining specialized support for English language learners, and the potential consequences of school district decisions that could uproot vulnerable student populations from their academic and community anchors.