Parents pack New Hanover School Board work session to voice opposition to proposed redistricting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –  Redistricting New Hanover County high schools would move nearly 700 students. Many parents are not on board with the board’s proposal.

Overcrowding in high schools led to board members to redistricting. The district says the change overall is small but you would not think that if you saw how many came tonight to speak against the current redrawing.

“I don’t know what the answer is,” said Angela Davis who’s daughter started at New Hanover High this past year. “But I know that affecting all of these children is not the answer.”

Parents affected by the proposed high school redistricting let the New Hanover County Board of Education hear about it.

“Five months after purchasing a home we’re now going to be a victim of being moved potentially,” said Dr. John Creasy who’s daughter attends Laney High School. “That’s a big deal.”

The Board of Education’s plan could move nearly 700 students. More than 300 going straight to New Hanover High School. Many parents complained that would hurt the school. Several also arguing the proposal would take away the neighborhood schools criteria the district preaches to personify.

“This is her first year in high school,” Davis said. “Her junior high was not that good but I have seen my daughter bloom and that is why I am here fighting tonight. It’s for my daughter.”

Students also took to the mic. Asking board members to not go with the proposed lines.

“Why do I ask this of you today? It’s for the 685 kid’s futures you hold in your hands,” said rising Junior John Skelton who would have to transfer from Ashley High under the proposal. “I ask that you just treat us as people and not numbers in a plan to implement.”

It’s a plan board members are not all on board with.

New Hanover County Board of Education approves option to proceed with proposed high school redistricting plan (Photo: New Hanover County Schools)

“I have been through numerous redistrictings in the years that I have been on the board,” said board chairman Ed Higgins. “This is the fastest we have every tried to do a redistricting.”

Now the board taking comments from the hearing and from online will work on something to bring to parents in the coming weeks.

“This is where we’ve started,” said Higgins. “And I can only hope that we can all come together and come up with a decision.”

The board will meet again February 6th, but the chairman thinks fine tuning a redistricting may take until March before they are ready to vote on anything.