Rumor Mill-4706
Published January 20, 2011
The purpose of this section is to answer any questions parents, teachers or community members might have regarding the school district and to set the record straight in regards to any rumors that might be circulating. If you have a question or have heard a rumor that you would like for us to address, simply SEND US your questions and we will respond to them in upcoming issues of IN FOCUS. Below are some of the questions we received since our last newsletter.
Can you explain why the entire Williamson County School system needs to be closed in the event of inclement weather? Why is it not possible to allow certain schools or geographic areas to go to school if their roads are clear? The recent email described that 30 percent of the bus routes were not clear, so why should the whole county school system be closed for those 30 percent of routes?
On Wednesday, January 12, Williamson County bus drivers drove their routes as part of an exercise to determine how many streets or roads were impassable, hazardous or clear. The 30 percent of bus routes referenced in the email and phone call represented bus routes across the county that were not safe. While main roads were clear, many secondary and neighborhood roads remained icy. Each quadrant of the county had areas that remained too hazardous for transporting children. Two buses slid off the road during the exercise. One slid off the road in a Franklin/Brentwood area subdivision. The other bus was in the Fairview area.
In regards to rezoning, where does the grandfather and sibling clause stand? I have a rising freshman and a rising senior and I need to know what's going on so I can make some plans for my children's education.
There is no plan at this time to change the current grandfather and sibling clause. According to Board Policy 1.703, rising fifth graders, rising eighth graders, rising juniors and rising seniors who have been rezoned may be grandfathered to continue in their current school. You will need to complete the necessary paperwork before May 15 which will be made available beginning February 1. Also, parents are responsible for transportation to that grandfathered school.
My daughter, who is a sophomore at Ravenwood, was told at an assembly that she will need to complete a form in order to grandfather into Ravenwood High. I investigated the Ravenwood High School website and the Williamson County website to find the form we'd need to submit, but couldn't find any information. Would it be possible for you to clarify how a family can successfully attempt to grandfather their children?
Students who were recently rezoned for the 2011-2012 school year but who meet the criteria for grandfathering will need to complete an Out of Transportation Zone Request Form. Those forms will be available at school sites and on the district WEBSITE beginning February 1. To see if you meet the criteria for grandfathering, go to Board Policy 1.703.
Is it true that Pinewood Elementary School will be turned into an alternative school for kids with behavioral and discipline issues?
A committee was formed to determine the best use of the property. The committee, under the leadership of Board member Dwayne Greer, recommended that Pinewood be available for lease to non-profit groups beginning at the end of this school year. WCS will advertise a request for proposals from non-profits during this semester.