The Brooks town council showed up at the Fayette County School Board meeting Monday night to challenge the board's middle school redistricting lines which ultimately sends all Brooks Elementary students on to Whitewater Middle school starting in September 1999.

Speaking on behalf of Brooks Mayor Bobby Butler and the Brooks community, Councilman Mike Hanson asked the board to explain how the rezoning committee was made up and how their decision was reached. "We're not just seeking answers, we're seeking understanding," Hanson said.

Board Chairman Woody Shelnut deferred to Board member Debbie Condon who passed the ball to district transportation chief Bill Bonnett. "The board charged Dr. Brotherton with setting up a rezoning committee. I was furnished the names of the committee and we held a total of four meetings," Bonnett said.

The rapidly increasing student population at Rising Starr, which has almost reached building capacity, led the group to look at repopulating Whitewater, Bonnett explained. "By rezoning all of Brooks Elementary to Whitewater Middle, we would establish a formal feeder pattern." he said. The proposal was presented to the board for consideration and it was passed on Aug. 17.

"Ultimately, I have to agree with the committee,"Condon said. She explained that moving all the Brooks Elementary children to Whitewater would avoid overcrowding at Rising Starr and allow the Brooks students to stay together .

"We feel that we were completely left out of this... left out of the process. We had no input in it," Hanson said.

"I believe we had reasonable representation across the county," Board member Darryl Chaney countered.

"I don't see that we can redraw the lines," Shelnut told the Brooks delegation. "I don't think you'd want your children in trailers; considering the class size (at Rising Starr) I don't see how it can change."

Speaking on behalf of Brooks parents, Stacey Moffat and Carmela Giacobello focused on the increased bus-riding time by students, added transportation costs and the importance of keeping children in their own community for school. "The proposed plan is a start, but with our input, it can be improved," Giacobello said.

Cindy Clancy added, "I live not a mile from the school... I feel stepped on. I foolishly assumed that if we were to be affected, we would be represented. This came as a very big surprise."

Her child will travel about 10 miles to Whitewater as opposed to 1 mile to Rising Starr.

Nonetheless, the board refused to budge on their decision.

In other business, the board:

Recognized Macintosh High School Girls Cross Country team for their November 7 title as 1998 State Quad A Champs

Received a recommendation from Board Member Connie Hale to look into establishing a ROTC program in the county high schools

Received an update on the 10-year SACS accreditation process from Dr. John DeCotis