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Parents, teachers urge board to delay Forest Zone redistricting; public hearing draws dozens
Summary
At a public hearing on Oct. 9, dozens of parents, teachers and residents urged the Bedford County School Board to delay or reconsider a proposed redistricting plan that would reassign roughly 83 students from New London Academy to Otter River Elementary. No final vote was taken; board members said the matter will return in November.
A public hearing on proposed redistricting in Bedford County’s Forest zone drew more than 30 speakers Thursday night, with parents, teachers and longtime residents urging the Bedford County School Board to delay or revise a plan that would move roughly 83 students from New London Academy (NLA) to Otter River Elementary.
The board did not vote on redistricting at the Oct. 9 meeting. Superintendent DePere and board members said staff will continue analysis and the board expects to act in November; several members asked staff to research alternatives such as overflow assignment policies, modular classroom options and developer-funded mitigation.
The hearing highlighted concerns about student disruption, longer commute times on narrow rural roads, safety and the loss of community ties. “This school was part of our forever plan,” said Mallory Evans, a Forest-area parent. “Sending us to Otter River instead of New London Academy will take away the gift of being present — I can’t stop by for lunch or volunteer on field day.”
Parents,…
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