Redistricting forums to be held at elementary schools

COLUMBIA — Parkade, Lee, Derby Ridge and Cedar Ridge elementary schools will hold open forums this week to discuss redistricting concerns. The forums, which are being held at each of the elementary schools affected by the planned construction of another nearby elementary school, were scheduled so that the district could hear parents’ concerns.

The Elementary Enrollment Planning Committee will take into consideration any suggestions the public offers at the sessions, Don Ludwig, committee chairman, said.

“The parents have a lot of input, and we’re going to benchmark our redistricting process against what the parents are saying,” he said.

After the committee makes some headway, another round of forums will be scheduled in March to inform parents of the committee’s progress and if concerns were met. These forums will be held before the committee makes its recommendations to the school district.

Three main goals of the committee are to have schools closely mirror Columbia’s demographic ratios, to minimize student time spent on buses and to reduce crowding, Ludwig said.