Several parents said proposed school redistricting plans would harm their children?s ability to maintain friendships.
“We love Waverly Woods [Elementary School],” said Susan Hinton, who was among several parents from the school who told school officials their children shouldn?t be moved to another school.
Theredistricting plans, which would take effect during the 2007-08 school year, include moving 147 Waverly students to St. John?s Lane Elementary in Ellicott City to balance enrollment at area schools because of next year?s opening of a new elementary school in Ellicott City.
School officials recognize the importance of maintaining bonds with friends, but Joel Gallihue, director of school planning, said redistricting is necessary for the “greater good.”
But Hinton said parents believe their children could be hit with a double whammy because of a long-term projection of overcrowding at Patapsco Middle and Mount Hebron High schools, for which Waverly is a feeder school.
“We could be moved again,” said Hinton, adding it would further harm her children?s bonds with classmates.
Gallihue said school officials try not to redistrict students twice within a particular school level, but “it?s not inconceivable that children could be redistricted [in elementary and middle school].”
Deborah Frassica, who has had three children attend Howard?s schools, said the 33 students proposed to move from Northfield Elementary School to Thunder Hill Elementary School also face the possibility of losing friends.
But Gallihue said if students aren?t moved, the new elementary school would be over capacity, leading to more problems.
AT A GLANCE
Howard County public school?s proposed redistricting plans
» Twelve elementary schools with 1,269 pupils in kindergarten through fifth grade to balance enrollment in northern and northeastern regions of the county
» Four middle schools with 217 students in grades six through eight to provide relief to Elkridge Landing and Glenwood middle schools
Source: Howard County Public Schools
