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By Robert Sullivan

Clemmons Courier

CLEMMONS — Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has added several more meeting dates in Clemmons for the upcoming community meetings to allow residents to receive information and provide feedback on the district’s proposed maps for school redistricting.

The new meetings will be more 9 a.m. meetings held at the Jerry Long YMCA, 1150 S. Peace Haven Road, Clemmons. The new meetings are scheduled for every Monday in April.

Nine a.m. meetings are also scheduled at the Jerry Long YMCA on both remaining Mondays in March.

The redistricting process is the result of a $1 million, two-year Fostering Diverse Schools Demonstration Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, which was given to the district with the aim of increasing socio-economic diversity in the school system and enhancing transportation efficiency

“Socioeconomic diversity is important, but that’s not the only reason we’re doing it. We’re also very focused on modernizing our boundaries, trying to meet a state mandate that we have efficient transportation routes. From an operations perspective, we need to do this work one way or another,” Frank Pantano, the district’s executive director of choice and magnet schools, is quoted as saying in a release from the district.

One of the largest changes to the boundaries that affects Clemmons is with the boundary between Parkland and West Forsyth high schools. Where previously the entire village was within West Forsyth’s district, the proposed maps move varying portions of the village to Parkland.

The current maps are the result of two phases of community feedback sessions throughout the county. The school system is now in a third phase of receiving community feedback, with sessions being held throughout the county to present the maps, answer questions and receive feedback.

The feedback sessions in Clemmons have received some pushback from residents due to the time and locations. In a letter submitted to the school board, Clemmons Mayor Mike Rogers expressed his concern that all of the meetings in the area were either being held at the Clemmons Branch Library, which has limited capacity, or at 9 a.m. at the YMCA, when working parents may not be able to attend.

“As a public official, it is our responsibility to ensure that all voices are heard and that the community has an opportunity to weigh in on issues that will affect the future of our children. I urge you to reconsider both the location and the timing of these meetings to make the process more transparent, equitable, and open to all residents,” wrote Rogers.

The maps, along with answers to frequently-asked questions and other information on the process, can be found at wsfcs.k12.nc.us/page/fostering-diverse-schools.