Hundreds of Union Co. parents, students protest school redistricting

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Parents in Union County came together Saturday to protest a redistricting plan set forth by school leaders. Hundreds of parents and students held up signs and posters in opposition to the plan during a protest in Wesley Chapel.

"I'm out here today, because I'm defending my school and my education," said student Frankie Grippo.

The plan would redraw district lines to alleviate overcrowding. It could impact 5,800 students at 37 different schools.

Some parents are concerned their kids will have to leave schools they've been at for years to attend schools miles from home.

"I'd like to know where the idea for some of these lines came from," said parent Warren Havens.

Parents formed committees to discuss alternatives to the plan.

"Rotational schools that use rotational schedules; some kids go from 7-noon, other kids go from noon to 5 p.m. It allows for higher capacity in the existing school," said parent Daniel Gingrich.

Parents even mentioned making schools in Union County year-round, or adding more portable classrooms to overcrowded schools.

"I'm for anything that can allow me to have my child go to my neighborhood school as opposed to 10-12 miles away. I have a perfectly good school 2 miles from my house," said Gingrich.

We talked to several school board members. All said they were open to hearing parent ideas. One said he's concerned with some of the alternatives to redistricting. For example: He said school trailers are a bad idea, because they could put students at risk in bad weather.

The town of Wesley Chapel is having a meeting Tuesday to vote on a resolution opposing Union County Schools' redistricting. Channel 9 was told the school board will take the issue up again Thursday.

Read past coverage:

Jan. 14:  Union Co. parents unhappy over proposed school redistricting

Jan. 15:  Community seeks options after proposed Union Co. school redistricting

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