Bristol Redistricting Blues

From the BCCT.

Parents split on proposed redistricting
By: JOAN HELLYER
Burlington County Times

Some Bristol Township parents are happy that their kids could be transferred from one district elementary school to another. Others are up in arms at the prospect that their kids or others in the area could face a second change in their school assignment within the last three years.

The emotions ran from one extreme to another Wednesday night at Lafayette Elementary School as parents reviewed a proposed redistricting plan for about 40 students in attendance area 44A.

It involves kids who live within walking distance of Maple Shade Elementary School. Their neighborhood had been assigned to Maple Shade until about three years ago, when the school board reassigned the area to Lafayette to better balance the student population in the two schools.

Now the population has shifted again, and a revision in assignments is needed, Lafayette Principal Jim Moore told the estimated 50 district residents who attended the information session in the school cafeteria.

The affected area is within the neighborhood bounded by Glenrose Avenue on the west, Arthur Avenue to the north behind Franklin Delano Roosevelt Middle School, Dixon Avenue to the east and Newport Road to the south, according to district officials.

Students within that area who attend Lafayette this year may continue to attend their current school if their parents want them to, district officials said. But, new enrollees to the district and kindergarten students would have to attend Maple Shade.

The rest of the students who are in the attendance area that borders Route 13 and Route 413 would continue to go to Lafayette, according to the proposal, as they have done so for the past three years since the previous redistricting.

The thought of another change brought back old wounds from the last reassignment for some parents.

“That is why the neighborhood and community doesn’t trust you,” parent Paula Hess told board members who attended the information session.

Others, including Dorena Geier, were overjoyed that their child could soon attend an elementary school within walking distance.

“I want my kid back at Maple Shade. If [the proposed redistricting] doesn’t go through, can I still send her back? We’re right across the street,” Geier said.

The school board will consider the proposed redistricting during its April 20 meeting. The 7:30 p.m. meeting will be held in the district’s administration building off Mill Creek Road.

Joan Hellyer can be reached at 215-949-4048 or jhellyer@phillyBurbs.com.

March 26, 2009 07:48 AM