Hoover School Board Could Approve Rezoning Proposal Monday Evening
On Monday, March 7, the Hoover school board will vote on a rezoning plan that redistributes about 2,200 Hoover students to different schools. WBHM’s Sherrel Wheeler Stewart talked to Hoover Sun reporter Jon Anderson about the rezoning proposal, submitted by Superintendent Kathy Murphy.
“The recommendation is for these changes to take effect for the next school year, 2016-17,” says Anderson. “Assuming the School board approves the plan, then it will go to the federal court for consideration.”
How Did We Get Here?
“It really goes back to about 12 years ago,” says Anderson. “The Hoover school system did some major rezoning. They did a lot of shifting in regard to their apartment complexes, trying to redistribute students based more on race and income levels, to try to spread that population out among the schools and get more integrated schools. Now they’ve come back within the last couple of years and have tried to restart this rezoning process, partially in an effort to undo the zoning that was done 12 years ago,” Anderson explains.
What Schools or Communities Are Primarily Affected by This New Rezoning Plan?
“Every school and community (in Hoover) will be affected,” Anderson says. “There were a number in the most recent changes, where they were upset about being pulled away from what they consider their community schools. There were a lot of protests at some of the community meetings that the Hoover school system held, so come changes were made to try to keep some of those communities intact,” says Anderson. In particular, Anderson says the Preserve community at Gwin Elementary and Trace Crossings community are being held together based on community feedback. “There’s another community called Chase Lake that attends Riverchase Elementary that will be left intact. Initially they had been scheduled to go to a different school – Rocky Ridge Elementary,” Anderson reports.
Who’s Hit the Hardest?
“The biggest impact is going to be at the elementary level,” explains Anderson. “The superintendent has recommended grandfathering some kids in. Those who are in the 8th through 11th grade this year would continue on the high school track they had intended to or are currently attending.”
Jon Anderson also reports the Hoover School Board will vote tonight on rezoning 273 acres to prevent apartments along I-459.
The 2026 Alabama legislative session begins Tuesday
State lawmakers will return to Montgomery Tuesday to kick off the 2026 legislative session. It's the final session for Gov. Kay Ivey. It also comes against the backdrop of statewide elections this fall. For a look ahead to what to expect this session we turn to Todd Stacy, host of Capital Journal on Alabama Public Television.
Who are the figure skaters representing Team USA? Key names and backstories to know
Sixteen U.S. figure skaters are competing in all four Olympic disciplines: men's, women's, pairs and ice dance. The team includes a mix of seasoned vets, world champions and rising stars.
How IVF has led to a record number of single moms in their 40s
Who gets to be a parent has been reshaped by IVF: Single women in their 40s are increasingly opting to become moms.
Exercise is as effective as medication in treating depression, study finds
New research shows exercise is as effective as medication at reducing symptoms of depression. And you don't need to run a marathon to see benefits. So how much is enough?
Marrying for health insurance? The ACA cost crisis forces some drastic choices
While Congress debates bringing back Affordable Care Act subsidies , many Americans have already made life-altering decisions to afford health care.
Celebrities wear pins protesting ICE at the Golden Globes
Some celebrities donned anti-ICE pins at the Golden Globes on Sunday in tribute to Renee Good, who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer last week in Minneapolis.
