The Columbia County high school rezoning plan is set.
The school board unanimously approved the new boundaries at its Tuesday meeting to prepare for the opening of Grovetown High School on Chamblin Road in 2009.
The final plan, which also affects the Harlem Middle School zone, was modified from proposals that were presented at public hearings earlier this spring.
"I know that this has been a point of contention and heart-pulling and heart-tugging for a lot of families. None of the decisions are made here to try to hurt any child individually," Superintendent Charles Nagle said.
Not everyone was convinced, however.
Evans resident Bill Pabon, speaking to the board before they voted on the proposal, asked for a waiver for his middle-school daughter who is being rezoned from Greenbrier High to Evans High.
After the meeting, Mr. Pabon, who lives near the boundary line of the new zone, expressed his dissatisfaction.
"We got a raw deal. They've just decided they're not going to make the right decision," he said.
Angela Mathews, of Heggies Rock Drive, said she felt badly for the families who were rezoned. However, she was pleased with the plan.
"I was excited that they took our input and allowed us to stay at Greenbrier," she said.
She said about three or four students from her neighborhood, which is "built out," would have been rezoned to Grovetown High under the original proposal.
The changes included rezoning William Few Parkway south of Magnolia Drive to Columbia Road and Louisville Road south of Heggies Ridge to Columbia Road from Greenbrier to Grovetown.
Columbia Road from Appling Harlem Road to Louisville Road was shifted from Greenbrier to Harlem High.
Three areas also were rezoned from Greenbrier Middle to Harlem Middle.
Regina Buccafusco, the board chairwoman, said the rezoning decisions were made in the best interest of the entire community.
"We're not just shuffling students around, and we're trying to do our best," she said. "We're not doing this to punish anyone or to level schools academically."
Reach Betsy Gilliland at (706) 868-1222, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.
Comments
So if the kids get to stay in their current school, the board made a good decision. If the kids have to change schools, it was a bad decision. Sounds like the board did the right thing, since you can't please everyone. Circumstances change, families move, kids adapt. They will adapt better if the parents quit complaining about every little thing.
Well-put, NEone! And if the minority of hypercritical, enabling parents would get out of our teachers' way and let our teachers teach and grade their offsprings disinterestedly....
Mr. Pabon, don't be disappointed. Your child will do well at Evans. Especially if she is interested in band since EHS has the BEST band in the county.
The decision has been made. Now parents, quit complaining and support your child's new middle or high school. Be a good example for the children and show them how to find something good, even when things don't go your way.
I agree with iteach2- we were recently affected by rezoning for Stallings Island- the new Middle School. My son is very upset to leave Lakeside. As parents, we did what we could to have him remain at his current school, but the decision was made for our subdivision to be rezoned. Now our focus has turned to supporting the new school- which I am sure will be wonderful. I have explained to my son that things dont always go our way and that is part of life. He asked why I couldnt "fix" this problem for him. I think this has been a good life lesson for him.
Parents stop and think about the kids of military families that must move their students frequently. Those kids sacrifice and are at a new schools in totally different areas of the country. Our children are resilient and strong. Teachers in Columbia County are some of the best in Georgia. This rezoning will not change that.
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