The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) is reviewing "hot spots" in a new proposed elementary boundary map drawing widespread complaints from parents.

Proposed boundaries for Kars on the Rideau Public School and Woodroffe Avenue Public School are among those under review by OCDSB planners, education director Pino Buffone told CBC News at a special board meeting Wednesday evening.

The meeting heard from more than a dozen delegates who, alongside several written submissions, raised concerns to board trustees about the OCDSB's new map of proposed boundaries for 123 schools.

Under it, about 11,000 students would switch schools in September 2026, up to 5,000 more than in a normal year.

"I understand the impact across the district is differentiated and we are looking at areas that I would consider hot spots, so to speak, in tonight's conversation," Buffone said at the meeting.

"Our planners are well aware of these sites to see what we can do."

Since the OCDSB released its boundary plans on Feb. 28, parents have organized rallies protesting several elements of the board's largest restructuring in decades.

At a rally outside the meeting Wednesday, parents raised concerns about the potential elimination of alternative schools and sweeping boundary changes that would displace some kids and send them on a longer, more dangerous morning walk, plus proposed job cuts for educational assistants.

Inside the meeting, parents stressed similar issues, at times eliciting cheers and applause from the public gallery and other delegates.

"In our community, the board's proposal worsens utilization, increases inefficiencies, under-uses existing facilities, requires costly retrofits and creates unnecessary upheaval for our children, our families, our educators and our community, without clear benefits," Kayla Fernet said in her speech to trustees.

Fernet's children go to the Kars school, which under the proposed boundaries would drop from 85 per cent to 44 per cent capacity.

"A better option is the status quo," she said.

One delegate provided board staff and trustees with copies of an alternative plan for schools in the Woodroffe area that prioritizes safety. Buffone said OCDSB planners have discussed the possibility of incorporating some of those ideas into the board's existing plan.

The OCDSB has previously responded to pressure from parents. Last week, Buffone said the board was looking at scaling back a proposal that would see more students switch schools after Grade 3.

On Wednesday, Buffone said the board is looking at "variations, adaptations, adjustments" in a "handful of areas."

But he stressed he's also hearing from parents who were not represented at the meeting and are thrilled with the proposed changes.

"I know that no matter what plan we come up with, it won't be perfect for each and every student," Buffone said.

"We're going to do out best to see through a plan that addresses as many of the concerns that have been raised."