Easley parents learn about potential rezoning for elementary school students

Concerned parents of elementary students in Easley were able to ease their worries about potential rezoning at a community meeting Tuesday evening.

The informal meeting at Easley High School allowed parents to see large-scale maps of potential attendance zones for Easley's five elementary schools, as well as speak with principals and Pickens County School District board trustees. 

The district's board of trustees is considering two options which would adjust attendance zones to lower the student population at East End Elementary while upping the enrollment at Crosswell Elementary, Forest Acres Elementary and West End Elementary.

John Eby, the district's public information specialist, said the board also hopes to shrink the attendance zone for McKissick Elementary, which will become a magnet school called McKissick Academy of Science & Technology next fall, to open up more spots for students to choice in. 

The objective, Eby said, is to reduce traffic across the board and ease overcrowding in certain schools. The board is scheduled to vote on the changes during its Jan. 22 meeting.

"Right now I don't have any indication of whether they're leaning toward option one or option two," Eby said. "That's some of what we're doing here tonight — just finding out what people have to say."

More: Changes proposed for Easley elementary school attendance zones

Chetney Simpson, of Easley, said she made sure to clear her schedule so she could attend the 5:30 p.m. meeting. 

Simpson's two elementary-aged daughters attend (and love) McKissick Elementary School. When she received an email about potential rezoning, she feared her kids might not be able to go to school there. 

"I was really worried," Simpson said. "I love the school, I love the staff — they're very welcoming and loving and that's what I love about that school."

She thought the meeting itself would be much more formal, but was surprised to see each school had its own break-out session and that parents could easily get their questions answered one-on-one with any of the schools' principals. She learned, to her relief, her residence wouldn't be affected by the changes. 

"I was just concerned," Simpson said. "Now I've got all the information I need."

Henry Wilson, who has been a district board member for the past three years, spent time talking to parents and explaining potential changes during the meeting.

Wilson said his children attend East End Elementary now, but would be rezoned to Crosswell Elementary if the changes are approved. 

"It directly and personally affects me and my family," Wilson said. 

Wilson will see a 10 to 15 minute drop in the time it takes him to get his kids to school, he said. The rezoning would provide much-needed balance across the district, he added, and it's something most people he's spoken with understand. 

"Nine out of 10 folks have been happy with it," Wilson said. "And the ones who aren't — once I talk to them about it, they get it."

For parents and community members who missed Tuesday's meeting, another one will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the Easley High School cafeteria.

Eby said the district will send out an online survey and more information to parents via email on Wednesday. More information about the rezoning can be found on the district's website.

Follow Georgie Silvarole on Twitter @gsilvarole, or send her an email at georgie.silvarole@independentmail.com.