Bibb School Board Agrees on Redistricting
By Julie Hubbard, The Macon Telegraph, Ga.
Jan. 18–When the new school year rolls around in August, hundreds of Bibb County students will be rezoned to different schools, now that the school board has officially approved a systemwide redistricting plan.
Thursday, the board voted unanimously to approve changes in school attendance zones.
About 1,534 students will be affected by the redistricting plan in 2008-09, either by being rezoned to a neighboring school, or because their school’s feeder zone is being changed.
“I’m very disappointed,” said Waylon Loyd, whose two children at Taylor Elementary will be rezoned from going to Howard Middle to instead attending Miller Middle. “I put off a $50,000 addition to our home because there was no (redistricting) resolve.”
He says he is considering what options to now take.
He doesn’t want his children to leave their friends behind and be moved to another school, he said.
It was a year ago that Superintendent Sharon Patterson introduced a proposal to make attendance zone changes at some schools in order to relieve student overcrowding, fill empty seats and create a new zone for Howard High School, which opens in August.
Systemwide redistricting was last done was in 2002.
Parts of this latest redistricting plan were approved last year, such as reconfiguring grade patterns at elementary schools so that all schools were K-5 grades. That affected 1,108 students.
Last year the board also closed Hamilton Elementary, which was under capacity, as part of redistricting.
But other parts of the redistricting proposal were debated by the board for months, such as who would attend Howard High.
Board members made that compromise just before Christmas.
The board tentatively agreed to split Taylor and Brookdale districts with northern neighborhoods going to Howard, while southern neighborhoods in those districts are rezoned to Miller Middle and Central High.
“I hate that people are left out,” said board member Gary Bechtel. “You do the best you can, but not everyone is happy.”
During the last few months, it has been challenging at times for the board as they waded through redistricting options, he said.
“It tested our resolve to work together at times with different interests,” he said. “After a little patience and communication, we got to the point that it was something we’re pleased with.”
Four parents who were opposed to redistricting addressed the board.
Sara Walcott said her children would be rezoned from a non-poverty school to a school recognized as Title I, which has low-income students.
“It will have a profound impact on their education,” she said.
Pammie Jamar, whose child also is being rezoned from Heritage to Union Elementary, said she wanted her children kept in a diverse school.
Some students now at Skyview, Heritage and Morgan elementary schools will move to another school in August. There also will be feeder zone changes at Burke, Carter, Lane and Springdale elementary school districts, as well as portions of Taylor and Brookdale elementary schools.
The board agreed to allow upcoming juniors and seventh-graders at the schools being rezoned to have the option to finish out their final year at their home schools.
Those heading into the fifth grade at Skyview, Heritage and Morgan have the same option.
Burke Elementary also is scheduled to close in 2009 as part of this redistricting plan. About 344 students will attend Ingram-Pye Elementary, which is being renovated with new classrooms.
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