CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Superintendent Peter Gorman said Tuesday night that parents have reason to be concerned about proposed school closings and boundary changes.
"In some cases they would move the whole program over, but if a school closes, the staff would not necessarily move (with them) lock, stock and barrel," Gorman said.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools board discussed a plan Tuesday that would close 12 schools next year.
Parents had mixed reactions to the proposal. During afternoon carpool at Villa Heights Elementary, some felt their school would do well at the new proposed site, Elizabeth Elementary School.
Tracy Simpson said as long as the whole school moved, she could support the proposal. Simpson said it is the teachers, administration, parents and children who make the school great.
Still, other parents worried their small school and intimate environment would suffer.
"I'm very worried. It worked because it was a small environment, so I think we're all wondering how it will work in a bigger environment," said parent Latonya Archibald.
School board member Rhonda Lennon said she hoped parents would think about the bigger picture when looking at the proposal.
When asked about proposed boundary changes at Ballantyne Elementary School, Lennon said the school system needs to get with the city to look at the possibility of rezoning land around Ballantyne Elementary. The school is one of many south Charlotte schools that is over capacity.
Lennon said if CMS could get land rezoned around the school, the system could put up large pods that contain 10 classrooms.
The board will hold public meetings for parents and students to voice concerns and ask questions about the proposed changes. They hope to have the final plan by early November.
