The plan to combine the RISE STEM Academy for Girls and the George Washington Carver STEM Academy for Boys in a new shared space has raised concerns for some parents about keeping the unique mission of the schools intact and how the shared facility would work.
But Thursday night, the board heard public comment supporting the plan as well, even as others remained wary.
"Housing multiple programs in a single building is not new for FCPS. Carter G. Woodson and Douglass make it work," one speaker said.
"GWC boys do need a new home and that urgency is very real," another speaker said. "But meeting that need does not require RISE to be the only option."
Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said he's toured other shared facilities around the district and doesn't anticipate problems allowing the GWC students to use the new building as a temporary home.
"There is no evidence from any of those that it has impacted their mission," he said, during a later discussion between board members.
Board member Monica Mundy expressed hesitation, however, saying details on when and how the district expects to eventually move GWC to its own building remain too murky.
"I just don't think that this plan is strong enough for us to vote on," she said.
But the board ultimately voted in favor of the shared option, while also deciding to maintain the Stables program as the district looks for alternative funding for the small but popular offering.
The discussions are part of a broader effort dubbed "Right Size, Bright Future," which will examine all buildings in the district with an eye toward maximizing their use while adjusting to changing demographics in the community.