Wednesday, December 12, 2001
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Wednesday, December 12, 2001 |
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Boundary lines vote set for Monday By DAVE HAMRICK
Fayette County school officials are going over proposed school attendance boundaries one more time this week in light of comments made during Monday's public hearing. The Board of Education will vote on boundaries for elementary schools to accommodate two new schools opening next fall, and for a high school opening in 2004-05, during its business meeting Monday, Dec. 17. Most of the changes parents asked for during the hearing were aimed at keeping students at their current schools. "We need all the stability that we can obtain for our kids right now," said Randy Gaddo of Sandown subdivision. Parents from various subdivisions made appeals for changes to prevent a score of students here or there from moving to a new school, but by and large comments were positive during the three-hour hearing this week. "The people that have worked with us know that we are here to listen," said board Chairman Mickey Littlefield during introductions. About 400 residents attended the hearing, and 80 signed up to address the board, but most of those who had signed up elected not to speak after learning that new boundaries for elementary school slated to go into effect in 2003-04 have been put on hold while school officials look for a site for a third elementary school. Jerry Nemoth of Peachtree City praised the board and staff for working hard on the new attendance lines, and added that change is inevitable. "Please, with all speed, go ahead and do it," he said to a round of applause from most of those present. Murray Weed, recently elected to the Peachtree City Council, said he was speaking only for himself and as a parent when he thanked the board for "the active communication. We feel like we've been empowered and made a part of the process," he said. He also urged the board to consider proximity to schools as the top priority in drawing district lines. Referring to new federal air quality guidelines, he said, "Fewer vehicle miles traveled means more [federal transportation] money in the future for Fayette County." Councilwoman Annie McMennamin also drew a round of applause when she urged the board to "remember to validate the village concept of Peachtree City." Attendance zones should allow children to attend school with others from their own villages, she said, adding that the city's cart path system also should be considered when transportation needs are discussed. If schools lines are drawn so that students are close to their schools, they can use those cart paths to walk or ride bikes to school, she pointed out. Laura Barber of Crabapple Woods asked the board to consider "proximity to schools and school feed as the number one and two variables." For those who want their children to stay at their current schools, Superintendent John DeCotis said the school system hopes to establish a plan whereby they can do that if parents want to provide the transportation. He thanked the parents for voting for the system's recent bond issue, which is funding the new schools that necessitated drawing the new boundary lines. "Without the bond issue, we wouldn't be able to build these much-needed schools," DeCotis said. "Even if we build a school every year for the next 10 years, we won't catch up." The system is handling 20,000 students currently and adding 450 a year, he said, and will have 30 schools once the new ones are built.
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