Board to decide redistricting
By: Daniel Price, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: City
After months of deliberation, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' Board of Education will make a final decision tonight that will force hundreds of students to change schools.
The board will vote on how to redraw boundaries that determine where elementary- and middle-school-aged children in the district will attend school.
The redistricting comes in response to the construction of elementary school No. 10, which is scheduled to open for the 2008-09 school year.
"I think that opening up a new elementary school is needed because we just don't have enough space for all our students," school board member Jean Hamilton said. "Some schools are severely impacted by overcrowding."
The board will have four proposals to select from, one of which is supported by Superintendent Neil Pedersen.
In making the decisions, the board's agenda calls for members to consider contiguity, travel and stability, among other criteria.
In Pedersen's selected proposal, elementary school enrollment across the district would range from 406 to 596. Elementary school No. 10 would enroll 481 students.
Hamilton acknowledged that the redistricting will not come without negative effects.
"Many students will have to change schools," she said. "Not some - many."
That issue brought much concern from parents whose children attend schools in the district.
This worry prompted about 50 parents to attend a public forum in February.
Since talks began in December, parents also frequented board meetings, kept in contact with board members through e-mail and submitted their own redistricting proposals.
Board members Hamilton and Lisa Stuckey emphasized the importance of parents' feedback in the process.
"Parents have insights that are important for all of us to hear," Stuckey said.
If approved, the changes would take effect for the 2008-09 school year, coordinating with the opening of the new school.
But Stephanie Knott, assistant to the superintendent for community relations, said some exceptions could be made.
If parents would like their children to attend schools under the new district lines, or if overcrowding makes the change necessary, some of the adjustments could be made for the 2007-08 school year.
Before the final votes are cast at tonight's meeting, time will be given to the public to make their voices heard one last time.
Hamilton encouraged parents to attend and said the board will weigh their input carefully.
"Things can still change at the last minute."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
The board will vote on how to redraw boundaries that determine where elementary- and middle-school-aged children in the district will attend school.
The redistricting comes in response to the construction of elementary school No. 10, which is scheduled to open for the 2008-09 school year.
"I think that opening up a new elementary school is needed because we just don't have enough space for all our students," school board member Jean Hamilton said. "Some schools are severely impacted by overcrowding."
The board will have four proposals to select from, one of which is supported by Superintendent Neil Pedersen.
In making the decisions, the board's agenda calls for members to consider contiguity, travel and stability, among other criteria.
In Pedersen's selected proposal, elementary school enrollment across the district would range from 406 to 596. Elementary school No. 10 would enroll 481 students.
Hamilton acknowledged that the redistricting will not come without negative effects.
"Many students will have to change schools," she said. "Not some - many."
That issue brought much concern from parents whose children attend schools in the district.
This worry prompted about 50 parents to attend a public forum in February.
Since talks began in December, parents also frequented board meetings, kept in contact with board members through e-mail and submitted their own redistricting proposals.
Board members Hamilton and Lisa Stuckey emphasized the importance of parents' feedback in the process.
"Parents have insights that are important for all of us to hear," Stuckey said.
If approved, the changes would take effect for the 2008-09 school year, coordinating with the opening of the new school.
But Stephanie Knott, assistant to the superintendent for community relations, said some exceptions could be made.
If parents would like their children to attend schools under the new district lines, or if overcrowding makes the change necessary, some of the adjustments could be made for the 2007-08 school year.
Before the final votes are cast at tonight's meeting, time will be given to the public to make their voices heard one last time.
Hamilton encouraged parents to attend and said the board will weigh their input carefully.
"Things can still change at the last minute."
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
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