EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Las Cruces Public School's (LCPS) Board of Education has unanimously approved new school attendance zones for elementary, middle, and high school students for the next school year, the district said in a news release on Wednesday, Dec. 18. According to LCPS, the newly approved zones were in collaboration and recommendations from the Redistricting Advisory Committee comprised of principals, parents, students, and school communities. "We are grateful for the work of the committee, our school administrators and parents who participated in this process," LCPS Chief of Student Services and Community Relations Sherly O’Brien said. "Their commitment to this district ensures equitable learning spaces that will allow all students to thrive, which is the mission of our district." The new school zones will go into effect for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, LCPS said. The following approved zones are defined by the red line with the option number and how many students will be affected: For elementary schools, Option 1 will impact approximately 500 students. Option 3 was approved for middle schools and will be impacting approximately 273 students. Revised Option 3 was approved for high schools and will impact about 683 students. "The revised option for high schools was created following feedback from parents and staff that provided for a better balance among comprehensive high school populations," LCPS said. In total, roughly 1,456 students will be impacted by the new school zones, which LCPS said is less than seven percent of the total district population. Next semester, all LCPS students will receive a letter telling students which school they are zoned for and given instructions on the transfer process if applicable. LCPS said siblings are not split between zones and students in 5th, 8th, 11th and 12th grade are allowed to continue to stay at their current schools, regardless of new zones with their siblings. In addition, students who are rostered in a New Mexico Activities Association-sanctioned activity or sport at their current school will not need to complete a transfer application, LCPS said. The district launched the new school zones to address the overcrowding in East Mesa schools, to balance enrollment at high schools, and to plan the opening of the new Columbia Elementary School, LCPS said. LCPS said the district was also focused on improving transportation, long-term growth, and the potential construction of new schools along U.S. Highway 70. "As we continue to monitor our numbers," LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz said. "The adjustment could affect incoming kindergarten, 6th, or 9th grade students to minimize the impact to the district. What we don't want is to wait too long to do this very important work; we need to be proactive for future planning." For more information on the redistricting process or zones, you can visit LCPS's website here.