Rezoning Committee Changes Recommendation for Realignment of Auburn, Kennedy School Attendance Zones

The committee created to make plans for the realignments in school attendance zones within the Apalachee cluster made its final recommendations Tuesday night to the Board of Education.

The proposed rezonings for and elementary schools were the same presented at two open houses last week, changes that will affect residences south of Ga. Highway 316 between Ga. Highway 81 and Briscoe Mill Road.

The proposed map for and has changed after the committee reviewed suggestions and comments from parents and the community. The map now follows a two-mile radius along the Auburn city limits.

The rezonings are intended to ease overcrowding at Bethlehem Elementary, which serves students living in the southernmost part of the county and is approaching 1,000 students compared to Auburn Elementary’s 550.

The Board of Education heard the recommendations during its monthly work session.

The proposed rezonings would result in the following student populations at each school:

• Auburn — 768 students
• Kennedy — 657 students
• Bethlehem — 725 students
• Yargo — 639 students

Superintendent Wanda Creel said the committee was also developing a procedure to verify proof of residency for each student and hoped to bring a proposal before the board next month.

The board will vote on the proposed rezonings during its monthly meeting Tuesday.