Columbia (WACH)- There could be big changes on the way for children who attend schools in Richland District Two. Tuesday night the school board unveiled its new geographic attendance lines.
One parent spoke out at the meeting, “My son who is a third grader cried for a half hour when I told him where the lines were.”
Parents and students were able to get a look at the proposed zone changes for all middle schools and four elementary schools in district two.
“We are not happy with this at all,” says Debbie Hill. “You can put numbers up on a board but there’s no emotion behind those numbers and until you actually see the kids you can't make an educated decision.”
The Blythewood resident says this is the second year in a row her family is facing the rezoning issue.
Board member James Manning says, “We do have a big challenge ahead of us to use our resources to make the best decisions for the long term.”
During the meeting board members said the proposed changes are needed to accommodate a growing student population. A seventh middle school and an eighteenth elementary school are going up to keep up with the increases.
But Hill says enough is enough. The mom of five says the constant shifting is too upsetting for her children.
“It's frustrating that we have to fight to stay in these schools,” says Hill.
The board is hosting an open forum to gather more information at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 17 at the Center for Inquiry, 200½ Summit Parkway to get more input. A vote is scheduled during the board's first meeting in January. Click here to see maps of the schools affected by the proposal.
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