Initial School Redistricting Map Up on GCPS Website

Gwinnett County Public School officials have released the initial map for the proposed redistricting of the Peachtree Ridge and Duluth Clusters. The changes would begin in August for the 2011-12 school year.

Also, boundary input forms are posted to gather input from the public about the planned changes, which would involve about 700 students. The map and form are available on the district's website. Input forms will be due April 1.

GCPS announced in February that because of overcrowding in the Peachtree Ridge cluster, realignment is being planned. The schools involved are Duluth HS, Peachtree Ridge HS, Hull MS, Duluth MS, Mason ES, Chesney ES and Harris ES. Peachtree Ridge HS and Hull MS are over capacity, school officials said.

In the attached map, schools named in the colored boxes at the bottom are the ones that are affected. Plans now call for students to shift from Mason ES to Harris ES, and from Harris ES to Chesney ES, said Jorge Quintana, GCPS spokesperson. Colored areas in the map reflect different attendance zones.

GCPS officials said the process involves looking at current enrollment, enrollment forecasts, existing identifiable boundaries, school locations, and student transportation.

Also, boundary committees at the local schools affected by the proposed redistricting are being formed and holding informational meetings. The committees are chaired by an educator and a community member. 

The school board is scheduled to vote on the redistricting April 21.

Redistricting Schedule/Information 2011, per the GCPS Web site:

April 1:   Deadline for completion of boundary input forms. 

By April 11:  Boundary Committees complete their review and submit recommendations to the GCPS Planning Department.

April 11-15:   GCPS Planning develops final recommendations based on input and consultations. 

April 18:  Final recommendations with any necessary revisions available in school locations and GCPS Web site. 

April 21: 5-7 p.m. Public comments from affected schools.

                      7 p.m. Gwinnett Board of Education votes on redistricting.

What do you think of the GCPS redistricting?