UNION COUNTY, NC – Union County parents are frustrated and angry over a school redistricting plan many say was done dirty.
The Union County Board of Education revealed the proposed changes tonight.
Tuesday night, Union County Public Schools rolled out a preliminary plan the Board of Education says will help ease overcrowding and manage new growth.
The proposal impacts 19 of 30 elementary schools and all middle and high schools. It would move more than six thousand students to new schools.
“You move our kids and you’re separating families, separating friends. Our children are hurt psychologically, socially, and academically,” said Mora MacKinon.
Many parents are upset their kids are slated to move to lower performing schools.
“It’s kind of disheartening when you go from a 10 to a 4 in a rating level,” said Patrick Paterno.
“We chose these schools for a reason. We put money in these houses for a reason,” said Latha Gupta.
Parents followed along on their smart phones and iPads in the meeting as the board presented student reassignment maps. The maps—with new boundaries drawn in red—were released for the first time at the meeting.
“There were a lot of things that I think felt a little dirty, and people weren’t being told the truth tonight,” said Paterno.
Parents couldn’t speak, which added to their frustrations, and parents like Stephanie Zubrinsky weren’t allowed inside because of overcrowding.
“I feel like the decision has been made, and we will not have a say as parents,” said Zubrinsky.
Another big concern goes beyond the walls of the school.
“Our home values could potentially go down as well, and we’re not willing to just sit back and accept it. There are other options, better options, than redistricting,” said MacKinon.
The redistricting plan has not been approved. The district plans to hold public hearings across the county.
The board could vote on the changes as early as April.
