We moved to our house almost two years ago. One of the factors in our decision to move here was the great reputation the schools have in this town. We have really liked the elementary school and it has lived up to its reputation.
Recently, the county’s board of education has been going through new proposals for rezoning. They have built a new elementary school to relieve overcrowding. They have rejected the first eight proposals but have now accepted the ninth proposal. We are included in that last proposal as an area that would have to go to this new school.
I am very unhappy about this for several reasons. This new school is over 15 miles away! My sons would have to leave around 6:30 in the morning to go to school. The route to that school is a backarse winding country road. Also, I just love the school that he goes to now.
They are holding a public hearing in two weeks regarding this proposal. My husband and I plan to attend, but I am afraid that this is a done deal. They have already mapped out the bus routes for the changed areas. I am hoping that there is still a way to fight this.
While I recognize the need to relieve overcrowding, I wish they would not pick our area. Selfish? Probably, but there are zones closer to the new school that are not changing. It seems ridiculous to me to pick an area over 15 miles away from the school to choose for relocation.
Currently, I only have one son that is in elementary school. It won’t be long however until my younger boys are in school too. I am not sure if this will effect the middle school and high school that they will attend. This subject has not been mentioned and it will be a question I ask at the public hearing. Any advice?
Technorati Tags: rezone school district, school overcrowdingAdd to:
I would just make sure to go in with as much information as you possibly can. See if you can get other neighbors to attend and complain as well – it's easier to get taken more seriously if a large group is upset than than just one or two homeowners. Ask about 'grandfathering' – since your child is already attending a school and you'd prefer not to have to move him if possible. Ask why the new boundaries were drawn and who made that decision – see if you can find out why you've been included when the new school will be so far away. At a minimum, see if they have any good reasons that they can give and if not, suggest that maybe they need to look at their maps again…
Good luck!
Posted by: Deb - Mom of 3 Girls | January 24th, 2008 12:25 pm |
I was part of the leadership that got probably close to a hundred letters written over two years, each sent to 106 state senators/legislators/governor which successfully passed three laws regarding sexual abuse and statute of limitations. Many of the 106 representatives stated the letter writing was a big part of things. Showing up in our state capital was another. It was awesome to see a rep tell me and my friend that oh yeah, they'd heard of us there was a stack of letters "this big" on their desk this morning.
What I'm trying to say is you can make changes. You're probably busy like the rest of us but its important to you so you will do what is needed. Get your neighbors doing it too. Write up a few letters and let them personalize them, that always helps. Hand them out door to door, a cover letting stating what you're doing and a few short 10 sentence sample letters for them to personalize as they see fit. And get at least two or three people to show up and read their letters or a prepared statement. You have to be concise an say something intelligent.
But stick up for your kids. That is way too far away, they need to pull the kids from much closer. I had little siblings that were bussed out to the next city when we could see the local school from our back yard. It was nuts. Good luck, we're rooting for you.
(by the way the info you give your neighbors could fit on one page of paper, the county or whoever just needs to see that people are speaking out)
Posted by: Angela | January 25th, 2008 8:15 pm |
Deb and Angela, thank you for your suggestions. What great advice! I am definitely going to fight this as much as possible. Thanks again
Posted by: KellyBax | January 27th, 2008 6:29 am |