Parents speak out on school rezoning - FOX5 Vegas - KVVU

Parents speak out on school rezoning

Twenty elementary schools in the southwest part of the valley are overcrowded. On Wednesday evening, the Clark County School District (CCSD) invited parents to a meeting to get their input on alleviating the problem.

One of the ideas presented was rezoning the entire area.

Though the turnout at Silverado High School was low, parents were passionate about the idea of their children being moved to different schools.

"I'm not a fan of any of your rezoning plans," said one parent.

"I'm wondering if this is a Band-Aid fix," added another.

CCSD's Zone Advisory Commission presented three proposals to parents. Each proposal affects about 20 schools and would filter a few thousand students in and out of them.

Parents from Mountain's Edge were particularly concerned as the schools in that community are severely overcrowded and rezoning would shuffle hundreds of kids around.

Parents said Mountain's Edge remains unfinished and construction closures and dead-end roads would make travel to different schools difficult and time-consuming.

Some of the parents FOX5 spoke with said they'd prefer year-round school to rezoning but the district said that's likely not an option now and it can't afford to build new schools either.

One parent we spoke to liked the idea of rezoning. Her children's school is currently under capacity and more students would lead to more administration and upkeep.

"We will get more teachers, full-time assistant principals, specialists to help challenged kids," parent Beth Mundo said.

Five schools in the southwest are overcrowded by a few hundred students. With more than a thousand students expected to move to the area in the coming years, the district believes the time for a fix is now.

Wednesday's comments will be considered during a zoning meeting next Tuesday. The school board will then hear a final proposal and vote on March 6.

The Zoning Commission reminded parents that there is an open enrollment option which allows a school to be picked. However, parents must wait for a spot to open up before a school can be selected.

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