The Islander. (St. Simons Island, Ga.) 1972-current, October 28, 2024, Image 10

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The Islander., October 28, 2024, Image 10

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Newspaper Page TextPage 10, October 28, 2024, The Islander Redistricting Continued from Page 1 The third item of information is the names of the people on the redis tricting committee: Bobby Henderson, City Commissioner Kendra Rolle, Joe Sousa, Scott Ryfun, retired educa tor Keith Reddings, Andy Jones, Ca- tina Tindal, and John Williams. If you know any member of the committee, offer your suggestions to them. This group was formed December 2023 and has been working on the re districting plan since February. About 150 parents attended the meeting and many were Brunswick residents who live south of Glouces ter St. (SoGlo) whose children attend St. Simons Elementary. Their main concern is that they want their chil dren to remain zoned for St. Simons Elementary. Four public meetings have been held to date with different groups and all open to the public. On Oct. 29 a meeting is planned with the Tri Area Association (Exit 29) to hear parents’ concerns about overcrowding at Sa- tilla Marsh Elementary and Risley Middle School. ‘We will have one large public in put meeting in the coming weeks con cerning the elementary school redis tricting,” said Spence Note: Middle school and high school redistricting have not begun. The main driver of the redistricting plan is that elementary students at tend school closest to their home. This would create neighborhood schools. Parents could get to school when needed and families could attend school events. Both elementary schools on St. Si mons Island will remain open even though the population requires only one school. There are only 615 el ementary school children who live on St. Simons. Another priority is to make five el ementary schools feed into two middle schools that feed into one high school. Using old Glyndale Elementary as FACES will free up those two wings at Burroughs Molette Elementary for additional students who live in Brunswick. There is a plan in place to replace / relocate Glyndale Elementary School to the north end of the county since population trends are growing in north Glynn. The group has also looked at mak ing GICCA (Golden Isles Career and College Academy) a stand alone school. The redistricting plan would not go into effect until 2027 or when the new Glyndale Elementary school is finished. All students will be “grand fathered” in to the school they are at tending until they complete the grade band for that school. Other options considered by the group: • Continue bussing students to St. Simons Island to fill the schools and balance out the others on the main land with zoning. • Operate the schools on St. Simons with just the children who live on the Island. • Make Oglethorpe Point Elemen tary School (OPE) a middle school; and keep St. Simons Elementary (SSE). St. Simons would feed both schools. Make Risley Elementary the tenth elementary school. • Make one St. Simons school Pre K-2 and the other a third grade through fifth grade school. Spence said the problem would be for parents having a child in each school. Questions from the audience: • What evidence is there that cur rent parental involvement at Bur roughs Molette is high. Dr. Spence said, “Parental involve ment at Burroughs Molette is not high and, we are trying to fix that. We need to do something to change that.” • How will adding hundreds of ad ditional economically disadvantaged children to Burroughs Molette stu dent population benefit the existing Burroughs Molette students. Spence said extra support including administrators and counselors would be added to the school. Pay incentives could be offered to teacher to stay at the school. He also said the staff was concerned about the possible increase in student numbers at the school. • Since SSE and OPE are projected to be half full how do you propose to fill the schools? “We are considering the children of those who work on St. Simons and Sea Island as ones who might attend the Island schools. • What happens if the popula tion shift (to the north) does not occur between plan adoption and implementation? Spence said, “We will come back and look at the plan.” One large public meeting will be held at Brunswick High School or Glynn Academy for the public can voice their concerns. After this a final committee deci sion and proposal will go to the Board of Education (BOE) for the elemen tary zoning. The BOE will vote on the proposal. Then the middle and high school re zoning will start. KTews My heart goes out to all whose lives have been touched by the tragic accident on Sapelo this past week. It is such a special place set apart from the mainland but welcome to all. Keep them in your prayers. Brunswick First United Meth odist Church is heartbroken to re port Charles L. Houston passed away in the Sapelo dock accident. Wesley Church at Frederica cel ebrates the birth of Casey Elijah King whose proud parents are Caleb and Hannah King, proud grandparents are Traci and Lee King and Scott and Vandy McArthur and proud uncle and aunt are Abby and Tucker King. Brunswick Christian Renewal Church extends sympathy to Gail Neuberger and family in the passing of her sister in law Charlene Westberry. St. Simons United Method ist Church welcomes new members Melissa and Rod McCullum and B. J. Whitaker. Blessings to Brooks Cam den Brandon, son of Falyn Brandon and Helbert Borroto and grandson of Carla and Kevin Brandon, on his bap tism. Sympathy is expressed to the family and friends of Suzette Fincher. Flowers were placed in St. William Catholic Church in memory of Alex ander Mraz by Camille Mraz. Fall Ba zaar and Craft Show will be Saturday, November 9, from 9 to 3. Glyndale Baptist Church ex tends sympathy to Peggy Leggett and Wes Shepard at the loss of their loved ones. St. Simons Presbyterian Church welcomes new members Jes sica Cannon and her children Lanier and Banks, Jay and Caroline Flexer and their children Trip and Wesley and Wheeler Bryan. On behalf of Thomas and Mary El len Shuman Barrow Christ Church Frederica announces the birth of Thomas Augustine Dausey Barrow, Jr. born on October 22, 2024. The proud grandparents are Bonney and Billy Shuman. Flowers were placed in St. Simons First Baptist Church by the MacAr- thur Family in celebration of Will Ma- cArthur and his bride Erica. Have a great week - filled with lots of sweet, safe fun as you greet God’s Little People at your door with goodies. Let The Islander help your church spread the Good News email church news to pattymgibson@hellsouth.net or ssislander@bellsouth.net The Islander: 912^265^9654 Carlyle Wellness uses Standard Process v' UlYLE WELLNESS •P THE ROAD TO WELLNES 50 Aviator Plaza - Suite 102 St. Simons Island (across from Home 2 Suites) ESS STARTS HERE 20% ofat&e All nATURAL OR&Anxe Stando^td Pkarass 'JDatox- Kit All ntontU! Take our Supplement Survey to see what supplements are best for YOU! Supplements with whole, organic foods NOT chemicals! Call Us and Start Feeling Better Today! • 912-638-5909 At Caftl^le Wellness we use STAfltMRD procsss Supplements made- ^ von Oiconic Whale, poods.