Kershaw Slow to Rezone Schools
Posted on: Monday, 12 May 2008, 03:00 CDT
By Joy L. Woodson, The State, Columbia, S.C.
May 12--New attendance lines on hold until decision on Jackson School
The Kershaw County school board is uncertain how long it will take before new attendance zones are redrawn and implemented, but it's clear it won't be any time soon.
The semi-rural district is grappling with overcrowded schools and aging buildings. Board members have been unable, or unwilling, to make solid decisions, which has prolonged work on attendance lines.
The longer the district waits, the greater the chance that construction prices will go up, more students will sit in crowded or shoddy classrooms and more portable classrooms will sprout.
"When you deal with a growing district, these are normal kinds of issues that you deal with," said superintendent Frank Morgan.
In Camden, the task of redistricting hinges on the Jackson School decision -- an issue steeped in historical significance, racial undertones and a failing facility. Many want a new school near the current site.
Where the school goes has a lot to do with how lines are drawn.
"We can't look at a site for Jackson without considering how we would draw lines," said board chairman Joey Dorton. "We've got to be able to draw lines that are along natural boundaries. We can't go and pick up pockets of kids here and there."
He wants to work through the issues in the next school year so attendance lines will be ready when the new school opens. The district wanted to open a new school in December 2009, but it's unclear now when that will be.
Two years ago, district staff recommended that if the school were remodeled, new lines affecting the elementary schools should be implemented in 2008-09. Then the school board decided to build a new school, and the staff outlined a new proposal to implement new lines in August 2009.
They were hoping for racially harmonious schools and lines that did not chop up neighborhoods. According to the outline, the district should have been ready to vote on the new lines in August.
School board members have suggested many ideas in hope to get the ball rolling.
Ideas include keeping Jackson School Elementary where it is and building a smaller school in east Camden to handle extra children; tearing down Camden Middle School and building an elementary school there; and splitting grade structures between Camden Elementary School and a new, nearby Jackson School.
"What's going on here is you've got elected officials, some are up for re-election, who are having a very hard time coming to an agreement as to what is important to them," said trustee Sherri Brosius, who represents parts of West Wateree.
While Jackson School and its attendance line issues have sparked debate, another problem has been brewing in West Wateree. There, most elementary schools are at or near capacity and expect to add more portable classrooms in the coming year.
It could be several years before parents see a new elementary school in West Wateree and new attendance lines. Meanwhile, the district has discussed expanding schools or moving children around to schools with fewer students.
"You have to decide what your priorities are because you can't solve everything normally with one answer, and that's why this is a challenging process," Morgan said. "This is complicated work, and it defies easy solutions."
Reach Woodson at (803) 771-8692.
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Source: The State (Columbia, S.C.)
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