A redistricting plan to move students from crowded elementary schools in the southern part of the district to schools with surplus slats in the northern tier was approved by the Parkland School Board at the Dec. 1 meeting.

At a presentation in November, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rod Troutman said the action was necessary to provide space for children moving into housing developments with hundreds of homes in the areas served by Fogelsville, Cetronia and Jaindl elementary schools.

Adjusting boundaries to transfer children northward to schools with available space would provide room for the new students moving into the southern section of the district.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported a team of administrators worked with the transportation department and consultants from Stantec, who compiled a feasibility study, to review enrollment projections derived from a demographic report by Decision Insite.

“We have studied this information for months,” Sniscak said. “Due to increasing enrollment in the south, we need to move toward north and east where we have available space.

“We want to balance enrollment in all the schools and maximize the use of facilities.

“We did not discriminate in any manner. This is never easy or pleasant but it is necessary.”

Michael Imerman, 910 Rebecca Lane, whose son is looking forward to starting kindergarten next fall at Parkway Manor Elementary, objected to the plan.

Under the redistricting set-up, Imerman’s child would go to Kernsville Elementary instead of Parkway Manor.

“This is what educators call musical children,” Imerman said. “Take them out of one school and send them to a different one.

“This is not a sustainable solution. It leads to instability.”

Board member Rob Cohen said the administration will do everything to make the transitions as seamless and smooth as possible.

“Administrators are doing their absolute best for students,” Cohen said. “These decisions are not made casually.

“We are taxpayers. We are parents, grandparents, and neighbors.”

He added the board and district staff are striving to do the right thing.

Board member Mark Hanichak praised Troutman not only for presenting the redistricting plan but also for his diplomacy, grace, intelligence and patience in responding to the concerns of families affected by the changes.