Plan would create two new magnet schools, rezone schools into clusters

The Dothan City School board is considering rezoning its schools to create two new magnet schools and to split its elementary and middle schools into two clusters that will feed into either Dothan High School or Northview High School.

Under the plan, school zones will be reconfigured to create zones that are more geographically consistent than the current configuration which was gerrymandered based on the requirements of a now defunct federal desegregation order.
The new zoning scheme would create two clustering zones, which for the most part would be split north and south by Main Street. Elementary schools in a cluster would feed into that cluster’s middle schools, which would feed into that cluster’s designated high school.

The plan would also convert Beverlye Middle School and Heard Elementary School into magnet schools, doubling the school system’s magnet enrollment and giving students in each cluster an opportunity to attend magnet school. Nichols said consistency and the additional magnet opportunities are the benefits of the proposal.

“A child can start kindergarten knowing exactly where he’s going to high school and choose a magnet school in their cluster,” Nichols said.

The proposed changes, if approved by the city school board would go into effect in the 2009-2010 school year.

Under the plan, students currently attending Heard or Beverlye will either regain entry into those schools by application, or be reassigned to the school they’re zoned for. Students attending either school under a majority minority transfer will be allowed to stay, but no further majority minority transfers will be allowed.

High school students affected by the plan will be allowed to go ahead and transfer schools in August 2008, but are not required to transfer until August 2009. Seniors will not be required to transfer.

Nichols said creating two new magnet schools would cost about $100,000. He declined to comment on how the rezoning would impact transportation costs, saying it was too early to tell.

In addition to the zoning changes, Nichols has also proposed allocating an extra $100,000 per year to schools with high low-income student populations. Nichols said this would impact about four schools and the money would be used to fund things usually provided by PTOs.

The plan will likely be voted on at the June 16 city school board meeting.

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Clusters:
Northview cluster: Northview High School, Girard Middle School, Carver Magnet School, Faine Elementary School, Girard Elementary School Kelly Springs Elementary School, Landmark Elementary School, Montana St. Magnet School, Highlands Elementary School (northern portion)
Dothan High cluster: Dothan High School, Honeysuckle Middle School, Beverlye Magnet School, Cloverdale Elementary School, Grandview Elementary School, Hidden Lake Elementary School, Selma Street Elementary School, Heard Magnet School, Highlands Elementary School (southern portion)

Magnet schools:
Students living in the Faine, Girard, Kelly Springs, Highlands north or Landmark zones may apply to attend Montana Magnet.
Students living in the Cloverdale, Grandview, Hidden Lake, Selma Street or Highlands south zones may apply to attend Heard Magnet.
Students living in the Girard zone may apply to attend Carver Magnet School
Students living in the Honeysuckle zone may apply to attend Beverlye Magnet