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Redistricting students often becomes a heated issue among parents, but Warsaw Community Schools officials are trying to make the process a smooth and transparent one.
The district is in the midst of holding information sessions to educate parents on two draft plans for moving students to fill a new elementary school.
The Warsaw board voted to re-open and renovate Claypool Elementary School and likely will draw about 400 students from Eisenhower and Washington elementary schools to fill it, Superintendent Craig Hintz said.
Claypool sits in the southern part of the district, and the board decided to open the building to accommodate future growth. Parents will have a chance to weigh in on the draft plans during the remaining six scheduled meetings in the next month.
“Right from the very beginning, it’s our intent to have a process that’s open, collaborative, no hidden agendas and transparent,” Hintz said.
During the meetings, school officials will present the two plans, then allow those who attend to work in small groups to provide feedback.
About 225 people attended three meetings that have already occurred, with only five people at a session during the day at Lakeview Middle School, Hintz said. There was another meeting Thursday night.
“We’ve seen the interest and the passion on the part of parents who are so connected with a school,” Hintz said.
“We spent a lot of time developing the process so that we could give as many patrons, parents and community members (as possible) the opportunity really to say what’s on their mind.”
After the last session Dec. 3, school officials will make needed revisions to the draft plans and make a recommendation to the board at the Jan. 25 meeting, Hintz said.
After the board takes action, parents will be notified in February where their children will attend school for the 2010-11 school year.
In addition to the Claypool renovation, the board also voted to build a new Madison Elementary School and a new Leesburg Elementary School and renovate Jefferson Elementary School.
