MEMPHIS, Tenn. — For parents and students alike, it can be one of the most important and stressful subjects affecting an entire family: proposed rezoning plans for an upcoming school year.
Tracy Rowe has a child in the Shelby County School District.
“It’s important for me as a parent of a child that goes to school in this district to understand children have adequate time and focus on their education. When the student has adequate space, and number of children aren’t overcrowded, it helps them better educate themselves,” Rowe said.
Each year, the Shelby County School District reviews all of its schools to make certain the needs of students are being met and to hear from parents such as Marquest Taylor.
“It’s important to me as a parent cause our voices need to be heard first and foremost. Secondly, we need to be a part of the planning from the ground up,” Taylor said.
The school district has been, or will be, holding informational meetings at schools such as Chimneyrock, Kate Bond, Riverwood, and Macon Hall pertaining to rezoning.
Kristin Tallent is with Shelby County School’s Communications.
“I want to point out, it’s just proposal rezoning. The purpose of these meetings is to make sure we get parent feedback,” Talent said.
The district said rezoning plans only impact students in specific areas of each school zone. All affected families have been receiving letters from the district.
“And this has nothing to do with performance of schools. It has everything to do with utilization of our buildings. Some buildings are overcrowded and some aren’t being utilized like they should be,” Tallent said.
Many parents stress the importance of having a voice in any proposed changes in the 2016-2017 school year.
“Parental input is absolutely vital in order for this community to be sustained,” Rowe said.
Two informational meetings are planned for tonight at 6 p.m. They will be at Chimneyrock Elementary and Kate Bond Elementary Schools.
