Redistricting outlined in 3 options
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
HAMILTON — The final three options for redistricting Hamilton City Schools will go on display for the public.
The process of reassigning 5,000 students from 14 elementary schools to eight new buildings under construction also will be discussed at public forums scheduled 7 p.m. April 9, at Hamilton High School, and 7 p.m. April 10, at Garfield Middle School.
Extras
"I think it is important to show all three to educate the public about the scope of the process," said Cynamon Trokhan, a Hamilton attorney and member of the Hamilton City Schools Boundary Committee. "A forum is intended to invite conversation and if you only have one option that would be limited."
Proposals include such moves as shifting 146 students now attending Madison Elementary School, located on the East Side, to Bridgeport Elementary, which is under construction on the West Side. That is the largest number of students who would move under the proposals.
The original thought was to show the public what members of the committee thought was the best option and tell the community how the committee got there, said board member Larry Bowling.
At Thursday's meeting, the committee suggested "showing all three options and get opinions," he said.
Members of the committee, appointed in November 2007 and headed by Chairman Jim Paulus, determined boundaries for the eight new schools, focusing on neighborhood schools to minimize transportation costs and student disruption.
Community members, district educators, administrators and parents served on the boundary committee; board members and Superintendent Janet Baker served as advisers.
A final proposal will be presented to board members in May.
The first four schools — Bridgeport, Ridgeway, Fairwood and Linden — are currently under construction and will open for 2009-10 school. The last four — Brookwood, Crawford Woods, Highland and Riverview — will open in 2010-11.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2158 or lebbing@coxohio.com.



Current boundaries
Option C
Option B
Option A