COUNTY - Grey pockets in two school boundary areas have been changed to black and white, but the ultimate shade of a third remains undetermined.

 "We asked staff to explore areas for improved efficiency, and they have done that. It is now our jobs to decide which options to take," said South Shore Regional School Board chairman Elliott Payzant in a January 20 press release.

 "It is a board goal to improve operational efficiencies, and this includes cleaning up bus routes."

 The board had publicly announced a special meeting regarding the matter with less than four hours' notice the previous day.

 At issue were a handful of catchment areas where families have traditionally been given a choice as to which school they may attend instead of having clear-cut boundaries like the rest of the region.

 At last week's meeting, the board approved a boundary change to the Lacey Mines area that would have all future students attend Chester District Elementary School, with the present children being grandfathered into the school they currently attend.

 The board also approved a boundary change to have all future students living in the Meldrum Avenue-Hillside Meadow area attend the Hebbville Academy subsystem, with current Bridgewater Elementary School students grandfathered into that school.

 "If these students are not within walking distance of Bridgewater Elementary School, the South Shore Regional School Board will provide transportation until they complete Grade 6," said the press release.

 Both motions are effective for the 2011-12 school year.

 The financial implications of those decisions were not provided.

 Meanwhile, a motion concerning Pine Grove, Lower Branch and New Germany Rural High School was amended and tabled until a study of that subsystem is completed, perhaps by next month.

advertisement

 "The amended motion would approve a boundary change to the Pine Grove and Lower Branch areas to have all future students attend New Germany High School with the present Park View Education Centre students being grandfathered into the school they currently attend until June 2013."

 During a public meeting about the topic last September, families from that area were unequivocal in their opposition to any change to the status quo.

 "Some board members were concerned that we did not exhaust all options for the Pine Grove and Lower Branch areas. Because of this, it was voted 5-4 to table the motion so additional options can be explored," said Mr. Payzant.

 "These are important decisions that affect families in our communities and we need to be sure we have all the information and have looked at all possible solutions to improve efficiency."

posted on 01/25/11