Friday, Aug. 12, 2005

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School redistrict plan moves forward

By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

The Coweta County Board of Education decided Tuesday night to move forward with a controversial plan to redraw the district lines for all 22 of its elementary and middle schools.

The board decided to pursue the plan after it came out of executive session, when all of the public and media had left the meeting. Public Information Officer Dean Jackson said the board decided to set up two committees; one for elementary school and one for middle schools. The committees will feature parents and administrators.

Jackson said the school system has to draw new attendance zones for county middle and elementary schools for the 2006-2007 school year, to accommodate the openings of the new Lee Middle School on Willis Road and Welch Elementary School on Mary Freeman Road.

But Superintendent Blake Bass has decided to redraw all the lines redrawing school because of racial imbalance in schools and to properly and fully use all school facilities. Bass expects the committees to be set up by Sept. 15.

The board first discussed the issue at its July 29 work session, when some members questioned redrawing all the lines.

“I don’t think people in this county want to bus for racial balance,” said board member Mike Sumner.