LEISD to host public meetings on rezoning
By LAURA CHILDRESS

With Little Elm ISD's newest campus, Oak Point Elementary School, scheduled to open this fall, the Little Elm school board has reviewed a draft plan for realigning the elementary and intermediate attendance zones for next school year.

During the next few weeks, administrators from LEISD will be hosting meetings of parents and community members to gain input.

Meetings will be held:

Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:30-8 p.m., public meeting,
Lakeside Junior High, 400 Lobo Lane
Tuesday, Jan. 29, 6:30-8 p.m., public meeting, Chavez
Elementary School, 2600 Hart Road
Thursday, Jan. 31, 6:30-8 p.m., public meeting,
Zellars Elementary,
300 Lobo Lane

A copy of the proposed zoning map is available on Page 3 of today's edition or on the LEISD website.

"We acknowledge that a change in attendance zones is difficult for all involved," said Julie Zwahr, LEISD communications director. "It requires a shift in habits and may cause many families in our community to change their daily routine. Please know that we take all of these and many other factors into consideration."  While LEISD does have a policy regarding transfers for students, officials note that the district does not approve transfers for transportation or convenience. The transfer policy is primarily for extreme circumstances.

"In this current case of rezoning, students who wish to finish their final year (fourth grade) at their current school will be allowed to remain," Zwahr said.

Parents may make that request by applying for a transfer. This re-zoning applies to 2007-2008 third graders only.

District officials note that younger siblings will not be granted a transfer based on this reason. Also, students who receive a transfer are no longer eligible for district transportation, so parents must supply their own transportation to and from school. Transfer applications will be available following the School Board's final decision.

Those with questions may email the district at  zoning_elementary@leisd.ws and zoning_intermediate@leisd.ws or may call Robert Keener or Julie Zwahr at LEISD Administrative Office at 972-292-1847.