Parents will get a chance to offer feedback on proposed changes to elementary school attendance zones for the “Apalachee Cluster” at a pair of public forums to be held on Feb. 15 at Yargo Elementary, and Feb. 16 at Auburn Elementary, from 6-8 p.m.
The affected elementary schools are Auburn, Kennedy, Yargo and Bethlehem because their students eventually attend Apalachee High School.
Changing the attendance zones was initially discussed at the Jan. 25 school board meeting, when Superintendent Wanda Creel said the goal is to “more equitably balance the elementary student population” and “avoid the addition of mobile units.”
She described Bethlehem Elementary as “overcrowded,” with “just shy of 1,000” students and eight portable classrooms, while at 550 students, Auburn Elementary may be “underutilized.”
At that meeting, board members Mitch Churchill, Dan Cromer, Lynn Stevens and Will Dunn agreed to serve on the rezoning committee. In addition, school board clerk Cindy Beggs, the principal, one teacher and one parent from each of the affected schools is on the committee. Creel said she and the committee members will be at both public forums.
In addition to posting the proposed rezoning maps on the school system website, informational letters are being sent home with each student, and maps will be available for viewing at the public forums.
Creel said the forums are “being conducted in a drop-in atmosphere” where individuals or small groups can speak with committee members. Comment/suggestion forms also will be available. The school board also welcomes written comments and suggestions.
