Opponents of a $34 million Amicks Ferry Road Elementary School might be right.

The company paid to do a $76,000 study found too few students to fill the new school.

The District 5 board and administration hired Milone-MacBroome to do the rezoning study 2 years after making a controversial land purchase on Amick’s Ferry Road.

Neighbors protested the board’s plans due to traffic that might flood the narrow road.

At an Oct. 7 board rezoning meeting Patrick Gallager of Milone-MacBroome said, “There are not enough students around Piney Woods to use all that space.

“We have to grab students in other areas. It makes driving times and transportation costs greater.”

Gallager added, “Students that may live closer in proximity to Chapin Elementary or Lake Murray Elementary will be transported to Piney Woods to fill the school. Some students may end up passing CES to attend Piney Woods.”

Katrina Goggins, district communications director, said, “The company’s study was prompted by growth in the Chapin area and a need to redistrict for the planned new elementary school in Chapin.

“The firm’s study also examines capacity and growth across the district as part of that process.”

The Chronicle has asked the district to respond to Patrick Gallager’s findings.