STOP Redistricting Seven Hills/Shelton Elementary

The purpose of this correspondence is to voice our opposition to the Paulding County School Boards initiative to reassign the Shelton Elementary School district lines. The Paulding County School Board is planning to use the corner of Double Branches Lane and Ivy Hall Lane as the dividing line to determine whether children living in Seven Hills will be attending Shelton Elementary School or Abney Elementary School.

The School Board presents - Several factors come into play when drawing new district boundaries. Student safety is the most critical factor. Student growth patterns and school building capacity are also considered. The District strives to provide a safe, healthy, supportive environment focused on learning.

Facts:
Shelton Elementary approximate 1.5 miles
Abney Elementary approximately 9.5 miles

Shelton Ranking went up to 135
Abney Ranking went down to 346

We question whether the District is focused on learning when it is moving students from a school that is ranked 135th to a school that fell to 346th in the state.

We question the statement that student safety is the most critical factor when the students will travel an additional 5 -7 miles, on 2 lane roads that are not main roads like the ones they travel on now, cross a bridge, and pass through areas that are not well populated. The additional distance includes more turns, more traffic and the safety during poor weather conditions.

We question the logic behind the assumptions of growth in the undeveloped portion of Seven Hills. We point to a slowdown in residential real-estate development and population growth dating to the start of the ongoing national economic recession in 2007 that isnt likely to turn around in the short or medium terms even when the economy rebounds.

We question why this portion of a united community is being segregated at such an unnatural division point. These streets flow smoothly with the rest of Double Branches. The more likely division would be the new construction (if and when it happens).

We argue that dividing the students could harm them emotionally, developmentally and create social cliques. It will put focus on these students and leave them subject to negative attention.

One of the reasons we chose to live in Seven Hills is because we knew that our children would be attending Shelton Elementary School; a school within 2 miles of our homes and yet sadly some of the children in the community will never be able to attend if the Paulding County School Board reassigns the district line.

Shelton has a unique set of faculty members, resources, and programs available for their students. Our interests in certain teachers, facilities, or programs are just as important as the school's ranking.

Shelton has acquired many technical advances that give their students opportunities that other schools do not have. We are in a knowledge-driven global economy and setting the students back in their education has serious implications for their progress and competitiveness.

We oppose the redistricting of Shelton Elementary School

Seven Hills Resident


Community feedback is encouraged thorough the District website at [email protected]
or in writing to:

Paulding County School District
Attn: Redistricting
3236 Atlanta Highway
Dallas, GA 30132

Next Board Meetings
Below are the meeting dates for 2010.
Tuesday January 26, 2010 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday February 9, 2010 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday February 23, 2010 8:30 a.m.

email:
Larry Ragsdale Superintendent
[email protected]
770-443-8000

Kim Curl
District 6
[email protected]
770-445-2600

Cliff Cole
Deputy Superintendent
[email protected]
770-443-8000