Parents reactions mixed to middle school redistricting plan

New Hanover County parents are not hesitating to speak their opinions about the new middle school redistricting plans. Many parents are thrilled about the county’s neighborhood school plan adopted last night. Other parents feel their children should have the option of choosing where to go to school, even if it means a long bus ride. They say it’s worth splitting up neighborhoods to balance socio-economics across the district.

The New Hanover County School Board approved neighborhood-based option 2C last night. Parent’s are split about the board’s decision.

“I think if the kids have the grades to accommodate it they should be able to go where they’d like to,” parent Thomas Head said. “It would help them more with education. I don’t think a few minutes extra on the bus would’ve hurt anything at all.”

“It actually doesn’t make too much of a difference as long as the funds are distributed equally,” parent Vincent Burgess said, “the literature, the teachers excitement or enthusiasm to teach is basically the same, then to me I don’t see too much of a concern.”

The school board was forced to redistrict because Holly Shelter Middle School is scheduled to open in August. We asked the school district for the final version of the redistricting map today.