After the third redistricting committee meeting Tuesday, Oct. 2, Bethlehem parents left with more questions than answers.
A building and utilization capacity plan released by Superintendent Les Loomis revealed hundreds of students enrolled in grades one through five will be affected by the new boundary lines due out in November.
Versa Trans was hired by the town to draw the new school boundaries, which officials hope will provide more balance across the six schools.
Eagle Elementary, which is set to open in September of 2008, is expected to be the district’s largest elementary school with 24 classrooms and a student population of 378. The next largest school will be Hamagrael at 342, a decrease of 155 students from the current enrollment of 497. Glenmont School will hold 298 students, down from 409. Elsmere will see a decrease of 44 students with their enrollment in 2008 set at 268. Clarksville, the district’s smallest school with 271 students, will decrease to 205 students next year.
Loomis said enrollment calculations for Slingerlands in 2008 could not be determined because, unlike the other elementary schools, which will gain kindergartners from their own home areas, there will be no change in Slingerlands’ current classroom size. However, changes in where those students are coming from are expected.
`You might have some Slingerlands students go to another school district and gain some students from elsewhere,` said Loomis.
Many Slingerlands parents at the meeting appeared uncomfortable with that answer.
Board president James Lytle told the 60 parents in attendance to look at the enrollment estimates as just numbers at this time.
`It is important to view that number other than putting children’s faces on it and adding them up,` said Lytle. `That number should be dealt with a little less intensity.`
The 24-member redistricting committee has finished their preliminary work drawing neighborhood boundary lines. Those lines will now be reviewed by Versa Trans staff with a deadline of Nov. 6, when possible boundary scenarios will be released. Establishing the final formal criteria for the process went through another round of debate between the committee and the public.
Of the criteria, which included achieving more rational boundaries, balancing school enrollment and addressing transportation efficiencies are criteria options, proximity to neighborhood schools was a main concern of several parents.
`It has to be considered,` said parent Kim Wise. `You’re trying to develop a feeling of community.`
Regina Frederick, an Orchard Street resident, said she is concerned the new proposed boundaries cut right through her existing neighborhood.
`Please do not put anybody on a bus and take them away from a local school where they can walk,` said Frederick.
Doug Hamlin, president of VersaTrans said the criteria needs to be set so work can continue in the `proper fashion.`
`I wish I could tell you tonight how this will all come to look, but that is the work we have to do,` Hamlin said.
Proposed changes to neighborhood boundary lines are on display at each redistricting meeting. Parents in attendance said they would like to see each proposed map on the district’s Web site for review.
`If we just start throwing maps online, it will create more confusion and more difficulty than it helps someone,` said Loomis.
Updates on the redistricting process can be reviewed at bcsd.k12.ny.us.
`We are trying to be as open as you can and still make it work,` said Loomis.
The next meeting of the redistricting committee is schedule for Saturday, Oct. 16.“