NORMAL -- Some parents at a public forum Monday to discuss where their children will attend school in 2010 were happy because the believed their concerns had been heard and heeded in the latest recommendation. Others, well, not so much.

The school board for the Normal-based district is poised to vote on the final plan that will realign how the neighborhoods will be tied to the district's schools when three new schools and an expanded one open next August.

Those most pleased in the crowd of about 200 favored the probable use of "attendance exceptions" that will allow some students to finish high school where they started or complete eighth grade at the junior high school they started.

Others were not as pleased, however, because they thought their opinions weren't being listened to. Their children would be bused to a different school to balance demographics, they said. Some didn't like the new demographics of their elementary school.

Some were concerned that about a dozen children in an area that now goes to Colene Hoose Elementary School would be separated from their neighbors and assigned to Glenn Elementary, which feeds a different junior high and high school.

"It isolates us from everyone else," parent Sheryl Soukup said. Soukup, who lives in Maplewood subdivision in Normal, said her two daughters would be in first and fifth grades in 2010.

The change would also include busing for children who walk to school now, she said.

Merri Hauter of Normal compares students switching schools to asking a White Sox fan to suddenly convert to being a Cubs fan. "It goes against your nature," she said.

Her neighborhood also was affected by the closing of Eugene Field Elementary School, so she knows what it is like to adapt to change. She is pleased that her daughter will be able to attend Normal Community High School and continue with the baseball and softball coaches she knows.

Amie Amat of Royal Pointe subdivision in Bloomington also is pleased that both her senior and freshman will be able to complete school at Normal Community. "We were hopeful," she said of her input making a difference.

Superintendent Gary Niehaus said he understands the impact of the proposed changes.

In keeping with the neighborhood concept for elementary schools, for example, some schools may have more low-income students than others.

For example, under the plan, more than half of Fairview Elementary School students would be low-income (as determined by the number of students qualifying for free and reduced lunches) while less than 4 percent at Grove Elementary School in Normal fit that definition.

Niehaus said that imbalance would be addressed by offering more resources in schools where the need is greater.

The $96.7 million referendum that is paying for the new schools also makes sure schools built before 1972 were designated to receive technology upgrades.

The plan doesn't allow for "grandfathering," which would allow families to remain in their original schools. It does allow attendance exceptions, however, which allows families to apply for permission to keep specific children in their original schools. Families will have to provide their own transportation and apply for approval.

It will allow only those who are eighth-graders, sophomores, juniors and seniors in 2010 to stay in their present schools.

The public can still give input on the final recommendation until Aug. 19 by going to www.unit5.org and filling out a survey or contacting the district.

Also, an open microphone will be offered for the public at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the board offices in Normal.

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Look at the numbers

Normal-based Unit 5 held a third public forum Monday on its proposal to realign where students will attend school starting next fall. The redistricting plan, which were made necessary by the addition of three new schools, has been shaped by guiding principles established by the school board, public opinion at two previous meetings and public input from telephone calls, e-mail and online surveys. Following are some facts about the process:

• 300 people attended the first public meeting June 16 at Normal Community High School; about 125 attended the second June 17 at Normal Community West High School, and almost 200 attended Monday at NCHS.
• 576 questions were asked of the district up until the meeting Monday.
• 2,060 comments were made on the proposals during the same period.
• The committee's recommendations are based on the guiding principles established by the board, which include: balancing enrollment demographically; favoring neighborhood schools for elementary students; minimizing costs while providing reasonable travel; moving as few students as possible; and creating a stable plan which will last for seven to eight years.
• Because neighborhoods were favored over demographic balance, 1.5 percent of children attending Northpoint Elementary School in Bloomington would come from low-income families while the new Cedar Ridge Elementary School in Bloomington is expected to have 58.5 percent.

SOURCE: Unit 5

Related

• Unit 5 redistricting passed unanimously