Bermuda redistricting up for December vote
By Donna C. Gregory ASSISTANT EDITOR

Following a public hearing last week, the Chesterfield School Board intends to vote on a redistricting plan for elementary schools in the Bermuda District in December.

In what is ordinarily a very emotional exchange, only 18 Bermuda residents asked to address board members during the hearing, and many of those spoke in support of the redistricting plan.

Those who opposed the plan mostly live in River's Bend. Under the proposed plan, children in that subdivision would be moved from Marguerite Christian Elementary School to Enon Elementary. Parents cited unsafe bus routes, bussing past other schools and future development that will increase the number of students at Enon as reasons for opposing the move.

"Enon looks as if it will be overcrowded in a very short period of time," said River's Bend resident Patty Belisle.

"This is not a River's Bend issue. It's all about the children. It's all about equality. I think [the School Board's] intent was good. I'm not sure it was carried out," said River's Bend resident C.H. Fabor, referring to the board's decision to enlist a committee of parents, teachers and others from the community to develop the proposed redistricting plan.

Parents generally complained that too many children were being moved. At Marguerite Christian, for example, 55 percent of children will be moved to another school. Forty-seven percent of Enon students, 40 percent of Wells students, 32 percent of Harrowgate and 24 percent of Curtis students will also be impacted.

Shelley Wilson, another River's Bend parent, questioned why students were being moved from Curtis when that school isn't overcrowded. "It appears a good number of children are being moved without reason," she said.

Redistricting committee member Jason Moore responded, "The domino effect caused the map that we have."

Redistricting is required because another elementary school is being built in the district.

School Board Chairman Marshall Trammell, who represents the Bermuda District, acknowledged that a large number of students are being impacted due to the location of the new elementary school, which is away from the growth areas in the district.

District resident Steve Honn questioned why Wells was the only school under the proposed redistricting plan that doesn't include children from multifamily housing. "They made C.C. Wells almost a country club, because there's no diversity," said Honn.

Moore responded, "Socioeconomic status played no part. We were looking at student numbers."

At the close of the hearing, Trammell consoled parents, "We have not stopped looking at the figures. We will continue to crunch numbers. We will look at neighborhood issues. We do listen, and we do care."

But other board members admitted the obvious: not everyone is going to be happy with any redistricting plan that's adopted. "[Redistricting is] inevitable in portions of Chesterfield County," said Tom Doland, Matoaca District representative. "It will be an inconvenience, but children adapt very readily to change. Parents struggle with it."

"I do believe we are improving the process," added Dianne Pettitt, Clover Hill representative, referring to the involvement of the redistricting committee. "We don't enjoy doing these things. We understand the feelings. We are learning. We are improving."

The school board is expected to vote on the redistricting plan at its Dec. 12 meeting. For specifics on the plan, visit www.chesterfield. k12.va.us and click on "changing school boundaries."