Parents voice concerns over redistricting
It was nearly a full house at Salisbury Middle School for the information and input meeting for the proposed redistricting of Wicomico County Public Schools.
Nicole Scharf, a parent whose children go to school in Delmar says, “We don’t want these kids ripped out of their communities and into these schools. They’ve built up their friendships, their sports, their after school activities, girl scout troops are together.”
Caroline Moses, another parent in Delmar says, “I’m really not happy about it. I graduated from Delmar and lived in the same house that I live in now. My brother graduated from Delmar. It’s just really important to me that my daughter goes to Delmar schools.”
However, school officials say redistricting is definitely happening, because it has to happen. Some schools in the County are filled to the brim with students. For instance, Parkside High is utilizing more than 124% of its facility and has classrooms jam-packed.
John Frederickson, the Superintendent of Wicomico County Schools says, “Anytime you go over or under capacity very much at all, you wind up having a situation where you’re degrading the educational services you can provide for a kid.”
The County Board of Education says districts will be redrawn by the next Fall semester. Nine different plans are being considered to determine how they will do it.
In the meantime, the Board is listening to those concerned and taking suggestions for the proposed concept plans. Parkside 9th grader Ryan Davey has ideas of his own.
Davey says, “I don’t think it’s really fair that people that already go there have to move. I think they could redistrict it, but if you go there right now, you shouldn’t have to move.”
That may or may not be a possibilty. However, the Board has assured that whichever plan is decided upon, the public’s input will play a role in the decision.
To read the full redistricting plans from the Wicomico County Board of Education click here.
Another input meeting will be held on Thursday, February 12 at 7PM in the Delmar Elementary Cafeteria. A third will be Tuesday, February 17 at 7PM in the Pittsville Elementary and Middle Cafeteria. The fourth session will be held on Thursday, February 19 in the Fruitland Intermediate Cafeteria.
