September 23rd Redistricting Meeting

Hundreds of parents showed up last night for the first public forum on redistricting New Hanover County schools.

Parents filled Codington Elementary School to speak their minds about plans to redistrict the county next year.

There are three options on the table right now.

The majority of parents at the meeting, wearing red, overwhelmingly support a neighborhood option which sends kids to schools near their homes.

Other options focus more on diversifying schools, and would affect hundreds, if not thousands, of students.

The school board will make the final decision. Last night’s meeting gave them a chance to hear what parents want.

Ashley Harrell, a local parent said, “I think that redistricting and busing children around, especially at this young of an age, has got a lot of drawbacks.”

Yolanda Clark, also a local parent, said, “The only time I think they get out and meet other kids is so you spread them out and meet and mingle. If you keep a child within those barriers, that’s all they’re going to learn.”

There will be two more public forums. October 6, 2008 at Eaton Elementary and October 21, 2008 at Freeman Elementary.