Henrico parents concerned about redistricting weigh in - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Henrico parents got one last chance to weigh in and prove to administrators that a new school shouldn't have to split their communities apart.

Right now, a new elementary school is being built in the far west end on Pouncey Tract Road in the back end of the Wyndham and Henley neighborhoods.

At an input session at Hermitage High School, administrators put up five maps showing five different redistricting options. But for many parents this just means there are now five different ways Henrico Public Schools can split up the communities.

"We're one community, we've always been one community, we do parties together, we have a swim team, a tennis team, we have a 4th of July party, it's our biggest event in our neighborhood... we really just want to keep our neighborhood together," said concerned mother, Jean Reiter.

One parent worries changing schools will be not only be disruptive for children, but their families too.

"There's enough going on in today's community and I could probably start to ball because families already getting split apart with texting phones, TV, other crazy stuff, if we can't keep our kids together in one community…we've really lost the family values I think," said Diane Malloy.

Suggestions and concerns are received by a committee who has to come up with a plan.

"I think it's difficult simply because we're constrained by having these small number of schools we can work with and we have to solve for numerous problems within these constraints," said rezoning committee member, William Panak.

Eleven schools will be affected. Among them the biggest change will go to Colonial Trail Elementary.

It's already overcrowded and it's in the same district as the new school.

At least 200 students from Colonial Trail will have to move to the new school. School officials say it's a big number, but it has to be this way - they have to keep up with the growing number of families in the county.

For more information visit the Henrico Public Schools website.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.