Lincoln County parents shocked after redistricting affects hundreds of students

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Lincoln County school leaders have just informed students that they would be attending a different school next year due to redistricting, leaving parents upset.

"The line was through my backyard so if we had lived on the other side of my backyard over the property line, my kids would go to Pumpkin Center still," Lincoln County parent Lisa Fournier said.

She said she's on the side that would send her children to Battleground Elementary School.

"I moved here from Huntersville two years ago specifically for this school district, so my kids could go to Pumpkin Center Elementary," she said.

She's not alone.

"I was really shocked at first and just concerned," parent Deana Spainhour said. "I mean we moved to this area of Lincoln County from Mecklenburg County actually for this school district.

"My 10-year-old has been going to school there for five years now and he's going to be heartbroken," says parent Cole Philyew.

On March 9, some parents in the district got a letter informing them that their child would be attending a different school next year.

The district said the redistricting impacts about 200 students and fixes problems with feeder zones, now keeping the same students together from elementary through high school. It also adjusts for district growth.

The board made the decision at a February meeting.

"It should've never been brought up without the community being involved," says Philyew.

"I feel like we need a voice. I feel like this is our community," says Spainhour.

Channel 9 took their concerns to the district.

Reporter Elsa Gillis spoke with Associate Superintendent Dr. Aaron Allen and asked him why the community wasn't involved.

"That was under consultation with our attorney," he said. "And basically said at the time that they could move the lines without public input."

He said it's not a done deal. The board will make a final decision in April after a public hearing March 23.

"I get their frustrations and their concerns," Allen said.  "All of our board members are listening to that. They will maintain the opportunity to have an open mind to listen and consider any changes to this plan."

Parents also said that while they can make a request to transfer schools, when they tried to transfer back to Pumpkin Center, it was full.

Allen said parents should still make that request because the cap includes students that are currently enrolled there, so there's a possibility they will be allowed to stay.

This is the statement we got from Lincoln County Schools:

Redistricting could potentially affect 194 Students.   All students who might be affected received letters informing them of the change and inviting to the public hearing to be held on March 23 at 6:00 pm at F.D. Kiser Intermediate School.

The area that is being considered for redistricting has been discussed for several years because of its feeder pattern.  Before the redistricting will occur there will be a public hearing, the board will consider feedback from the community, and then it will be voted on at a Board of Education Meeting.  If the Board approves the redistricting, it should begin for the 2017-2018 school year. 

The student reassignment is due to redistricting of attendance lines.  The need for redistricting is based on a number of factors which include the following:  (1) allows for students to no longer attend different feeder zones; (2) allows students to remain with their same peer group elementary through high school; (3) allows for efficient use of classroom space and facilities; and (4) allows for growth in areas experiencing the current and projected construction of housing developments on the eastern region of the district which will continue to impact student enrollment.

For the 2017-2018 school year, Lincoln County Board of Education approved for any rising eighth grade student at North Lincoln Middle and any rising twelfth grade student at North Lincoln High School to be grandfathered, provided that transportation is arranged by the parent/guardian.  This provision is only authorized for the 2017-2018 school year.  Parents may apply for reassignment.  

Cox Media Group