Hackett, currently a pre-K through fifth-grade school, had been slated to become a pre-K through fourth-grade building under an earlier proposal that would merge students from Hackett and John Moffet School, while closing James Ludlow School.
But district officials announced a new direction last Monday: Moffet will become a K-4 school, Ludlow will remain open, and Hackett will expand to serve students through eighth grade.
Parents said the abrupt change has shaken their confidence in the planning process.
"We just want answers," parent Cimone Berman said.
Berman and others said they supported the original plan and felt blindsided by the district's reversal.
"Last minute, it felt like it was pulled underneath the rug from us," she said.
Another parent, Phil Stoltzfus, questioned the district's rationale.
"What changed in your thinking? Why was this changed? And they could not or would not answer that," he said after a meeting held on Monday night with school district leaders.
Teachers also voiced concerns about space and resources.
"It's not the best interest of our kids. We're worried about capacity," kindergarten teacher Allyson Rea said.
Families are particularly worried about the future of Hackett's two special education programs.
"It is so robust. It is so beautiful. To think it will phase out..." Berman said.
District strategic planning senior advisor Claire Landau told families that current students will be able to remain in their programs as Hackett transitions to a K-8 model.
"Just in the long run, as we plan what classrooms we have and what new students we bring in, there will just be one special education program," Landau said.
Some parents and staff said the district's communication has eroded trust.
"I think you've lost a lot of trust we put in you and were disappointed in how this was handled," Rea said.
Landau said the district believes the new plan reflects family priorities.
"It's one of the number one things families have asked for is to be able to stay in their schools longer, to have siblings together longer and we're excited for Hackett to be able to have that," she said.
The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the revised plan on Thursday. District leaders said that if it is approved, they will form a community committee at Hackett to help guide next steps.