Panel Zeroing In on Neighborhoods for Redistricting

The panel of parents and school officials reviewing which neighborhoods to recommend for redistricting between Woodland and Central schools is focusing on 20 streets, with 65 students, according to Superintendent Tami Crader.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Dr. Crader said the panel has met twice, identifying 20 streets where "children live closer to Central but attend Woodland."

She added those streets are being considerewd based on the impact the change woud have on bus routes, along with another eight streets where there are currently no grade school-age children.

"I've sent two letters out to parents...letting them know that this was taking place and that I would be ready to make recommendations to the board Jan. 24," Dr. Crader said.

She aded the names of which streets are under consideration will not be released until then because "I don't want people to be overly alarmed."

"At that time, I will put that informaiton out to parents and ask them to attend that meeting," Dr. Crader said.

In response to a question from Arrighi Drive resident Keriann Linton, Dr. Crader said there are nine fifth-grade students who would be affected but can remain at Woodland School in the fall, providing parents can provide transportations.

However, she added younger students will nnot have the same option.

"The key to the success of the plan is the section numbers—we have to manage the section numbers, we are running out of space at Woodland," she said. "So, if we allow people to stay, many more of them will stay than will go and we won't have accomplished our goal of balancing out those section numbers."