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Schools

Pine-Richland School District Plans for Elementary Schools Redistricting

Superintendent urges board to act by February 2012.

Recognizing that it will be a closely watched, and perhaps a controversial decision, Pine-Richland School Board directors took the first step Monday toward drawing up plans to reassign students at the district’s three elementary schools. 

Superintendent  Mary Bucci reported that the student population at continues to grow and now exceeds 500 students while about 300 attend . The student population at was not mentioned. 

“Richland is not overcrowded, and it can handle that number of students,” said Bucci. “It’s more about finding the most efficient way to use our staff.” 

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The board’s first step was to schedule an Operational Services Committee meeting at 6 p.m. Oct. 24 to discuss the issue. Bucci said she hopes a consultant can be hired and a plan developed for the board’s consideration by the first of next year. She said a final decision should be made by February, before kindergarten registration begins. 

Two parents urged the board to keep the public engaged and informed as it works through the process and to consider all ideas. 

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One of those parents, Melanie Kaniak, said exceptions should be made for second-graders who are entering their last year at a primary elementary school. “Maybe look into grandfathering them into their elementary schools,” she said. “I would actually be willing to drive my daughter to and from school, every day, just to keep her in her current elementary school.” 

“I think we have to look at the whole picture; we can’t just look at the numbers and crunch,” she said. “We have to take into account how this will affect the students.”

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