[ back ]
Pickerington realignment finalized
(by Anne Holmes, staff writer - January 31, 2009)
The long awaited finalization of the Pickerington Schools alignment plan was voted on at the Jan. 26 school board meeting Jan. 26, passing with a 4 to 1 vote.
The board devised a plan to address the concerns of parents and students as well as face realities of a growing school district.
Students in the Mingo Estates and Saylor Road areas will be assigned to Lakeview Junior High School followed by North High School.
All current 7th to 11th grade students from Mingo Estates who wish to stay at Ridgeview Junior High and attend Central High will be able to open enroll without penalty. Current 9th to 11th grade students will continue to receive transportation.
A majority of affected students from the Saylor Road area already open enrolled to Lakeview Junior High and North High. For Saylor Road students who followed the changes of 2006, and moved to the Ridgeview Junior High and Central High path, transportation will continue to be provided for current 7th to 11th graders if they choose to now open enroll at Ridgeview and Central.
If younger siblings wish to follow the path of the affected current 7th to 11th graders, consideration will be given if they choose to open enroll, but transportation will not be provided.
The concern of most parents was that their students be able to remain with the peer group they have developed through the first half of their education.
Superintendent Dr. Karen Mantia noted the board responded to changing conditions back in 2006 and at the latest meeting. The dynamics of the community continue to change and she applauds the board as they try to address community concerns while providing equity and fairness.
After the vote was taken, the nearly 50 people in the audience applauded. Parents and students from both neighborhoods reported they are happy.
Board member Lisa Reade cast the only no vote.
A long-time supporter of the realignment plan, her vote was not in opposition to the plan.
Instead, Reade voted against a bundling action the school board took, placing several issues together under one resolution.
In this case, the board tied together a land acquisition resolution and a determination of impracticality of providing transportation to a single student attending school outside of the district.
"I voted no because I did not think the two items should be bundled together and moved to consent," she said.
In the end it was the process to which Reade voted against. Boundary maps are available at www.pickerington.k12.oh.us.
[ back ]
