Board Rejects Delaying Student Assignment Zoning Plan Vote

Rockford, IL - The debate over invoking student assignment boundary zones or staying with the choice system in the fall continues. An attempt to delay the decision over boundary zones for a year failed with a 4-3 vote at Tuesdays Rockford School Board meeting. More than a dozen members of the community spoke to the board about the proposed student assignment zoning plan for middle and high schools. Representatives for the Chamber of Commerce, Rockford Mayor Larry Morrisseys office, and the president of the Burpee Museum spoke in favor of implementing the plan for the 2007-2008 school year. They say its necessary for the success and progress of the community. They say it offers parents predictability when they consider moving to the area. But parents who spoke to the board asked them to slow down and delay the decision until the 2008-2009 school year. They asked for an intense examination of the plan, more options, and a better explanation to the community. Two public forums are scheduled for members of the community to give input about the proposed zoning plan. The first one is on Jan. 30th at Jefferson High School from 7-9pm. The second one is on Feb. 8th at Eisenhower Middle School from 7-9pm. Dr. Dennis Thompson, the Superintendent of District 205, says at the board meeting on Feb. 13th, hell outline the last possible date to decide between zones and choice for the 2007-2008 school year. The board members who voted in favor of delaying the vote for a year are Mike Williams, Jay Nellis, and Robert Evans. The board members who successfully voted against the delay are Alice Saudargas, Nancy Kalchbrenner, Christina Ostergard, and David Kelley.