UPDATE: Community Forums Planned for PR Elementary Schools Redistricting Proposals

UPDATE: Pine-Richland School District published plans for "rightsizing" its three primary schools Tuesday. Click here to see them.

Story published earlier Tuesday:

Pine-Richland School Board directors agreed Monday night that it is time to present redistricting plans for its three elementary schools. 

Two forums are slated—the first at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 and the second at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 at the Exploratorium in Eden Hall Upper Elementary—to explain the plans and get the community's input.

The specific plans are not yet available—the school district administration said the options might be posted by Friday on the district's website. (See update above.)

School Board President Stephen Hawbaker said the administration is looking to make changes that will go into effect this fall.

Director Kevin Nigh, who said , commented that he can now "see how out of whack we really are."

He and other board directors expressed concern over the sensitivity of changing children's school assignments and the importance of getting feedback from the community.

"There's so much anxiety out there," said Director Therese Dawson.

Pine-Richland has three primary schools— [331 students],  [504] and  [415].

The imbalance between Richland and Hance could require changes in staffing, with some of Hance's staff moved to Richland, the administration explained previously.

Different options will be presented at the forums.

"A decision has not been made," said Superintendent Dr. Mary Bucci.

The school board plans to vote on a redistricting plan by the end of March so that the families of 2012-13 kindergartners will know to which school they are assigned by the April 3 registration date.

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