We, the residents as being homeowners and parents of children attending Lake Norman School District adamently oppose the redrawing of school boundry lines that would move our children to Troutman or Statesville schools. We are looking out for the best interest of our children and their education. The schools that our children would be moved to are not near the same quality as the schools that they currently attend. Evidence of this fact is proven on the school report cards. Lakeshore Elementary is a School of Distinction with 80-90% of students at grade level compared to Troutman Elementary which is a school of No Recognition. Lakeshore Middle is an Honor School of Excellence with at least 90% of students performing at grade level compared to Troutman Middle School which is a School of Progress with only 60-80% at grade level. Only 45% of seniors at South Iredell High School participate in taking the SATs which shows that this is not a college prep high school. Lake Norman High School has an 89% participation rate for taking SATs and their scores are higher than those at South Iredell, 1069 vs. 1019 respectively (the average of the combined verbal and math scores). The school board argues that the Troutman schools scores are above the state average; this is not the issue here. The issue is that they are below the level of the Lake Norman schools that our children are currently attending. In addition, a study by Jud and Watts (1981) studied the effects of school quality on house values. Jud and Watts found that the quality (as measured by the average grade point) of school is an important determinant of house values. They found that a one grade point increase in average student achievement test result in a 5.2% to 6.2% increase in the value of an average house. Therefore, the redistricting proposed will negatively impact the value of our property and create an inability to sell our homes. We support the purchase of modular classrooms to be placed at Lakeshore Elementary, Lakeshore Middle, Brawley Middle, Woodland Heights, Lake Norman Elementary, and/or Lake Norman High School to supply seats for future growth. We do not want to be redistricted. Title, Target, and schools ammended Oct. 28th, 2008
We, the residents as being homeowners and parents of children attending Lake Norman School District adamently oppose the redrawing of school boundry lines that would move our children to Troutman or Statesville schools. We are looking out for the best interest of our children and their education. The schools that our children would be moved to are not near the same quality as the schools that they currently attend. Evidence of this fact is proven on the school report cards. Lakeshore Elementary is a School of Distinction with 80-90% of students at grade level compared to Troutman Elementary which is a school of No Recognition. Lakeshore Middle is an Honor School of Excellence with at least 90% of students performing at grade level compared to Troutman Middle School which is a School of Progress with only 60-80% at grade level. Only 45% of seniors at South Iredell High School participate in taking the SATs which shows that this is not a college prep high school. Lake Norman High School has an 89% participation rate for taking SATs and their scores are higher than those at South Iredell, 1069 vs. 1019 respectively (the average of the combined verbal and math scores). The school board argues that the Troutman schools scores are above the state average; this is not the issue here. The issue is that they are below the level of the Lake Norman schools that our children are currently attending. In addition, a study by Jud and Watts (1981) studied the effects of school quality on house values. Jud and Watts found that the quality (as measured by the average grade point) of school is an important determinant of house values. They found that a one grade point increase in average student achievement test result in a 5.2% to 6.2% increase in the value of an average house. Therefore, the redistricting proposed will negatively impact the value of our property and create an inability to sell our homes. We support the purchase of modular classrooms to be placed at Lakeshore Elementary, Lakeshore Middle, Brawley Middle, Woodland Heights, Lake Norman Elementary, and/or Lake Norman High School to supply seats for future growth. We do not want to be redistricted. Title, Target, and schools ammended Oct. 28th, 2008
We the residents who live in the proposed boundry line area North of Cornelius Road, Mooresville, and who's children currently attend LakeShore Elementary, Lakeshore Middle, and Lake Norman High, respectfully ask that the school board reconsider these changes that would move our kids to Troutman schools. As stated above, we firmly believe based on research that this would have not only a negative impact on the quality of education that our kids would recieve in Troutman, it would also have a negative impact on our communities, resell values and desirability of prospective home buyers interested in moving to our area. It is my understanding that residents of Morrison Plantation and other communities currently pay city taxes ,yet are attending the Lake Norman schools? Why are they not attending city schools? We recently moved into our home and paid a significant amount more just so that we, as many others that I have spoken to, could have our children attend Lakeshore Elementary and Lakeshore Middle. If this change takes place, it will be very traumatic on the emotional well being of my 3 kids as they just moved into new schools and have made new friends and teachers. We respectfully ask that you leave the boundries alone and allow our kids to continue to attend the schools that we moved here for in the first place.
Respectfully, Michael Bosman 206 Kenway Loop Mooresville, N.C. 28117 704-528-8394
We signed the "We The Residents Of The Iredell Statesville School District" petition!
# 673:
3:14 pm PST, Feb 17,Ken Leibee, North Carolina
# 672:
7:39 am PST, Feb 8,Brian Van Emmerik, North Carolina
Since my first child was born, every decision I have made has been for the wellbeing of my children. Creating a stable environment has always been my top priority. I believe it is up to all of us, parents and the school board to find alternative solutions to our growing community problems. We as a community have created this problem and we need to fix the problem without compromising the wellbeing of our children. North Carolina has one of the worst education system in the country and one of the reasons is that we have not provided a stable learning environment for our children.
Sincerely
Brian VanEmmerik
# 671:
1:55 am PST, Feb 4,Steve Klein, Canada
support our community and educational wellfare of our kids!
# 670:
5:19 pm PST, Feb 1,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 669:
7:08 pm PST, Jan 29,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 668:
3:09 pm PST, Jan 28,John Chillson, North Carolina
# 667:
1:55 pm PST, Jan 27,Lisa Greene, North Carolina
As a parent of four children who have attended schools in ISS, I do oppose redistricting. My oldest son saw his elementary school divided when Lake Norman Elementary was built and then had to leave South Iredell High School after two years when Lake Norman High School was built. He stayed in the same home both times and only his schools changed. It was difficult to see friends and teachers leave and then to leave and begin at a new school. Yes, he graduated successfully and has now graduated college, but I would not wish this on anyone else. Children need to have stability in their home as well as in their schools. Why are we the only district that has to worry over this? When I first moved to Mooresville, the high school students went to South, then were moved to Lake Norman and now we are repeating history? Many newcomers do not realize that the only high school for South Iredell residents was South Iredell until Lake Norman was built.
Now we are going backwards busing our children back to South Iredell? How does this make any sense? Please consider carefully the repercussions in making your decisions regarding moving these children.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Greene
# 666:
10:37 am PST, Jan 17,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 665:
5:16 am PST, Jan 12,Ben Kirkland, North Carolina
# 664:
10:58 pm PST, Jan 10,Josh Burnette, North Carolina
I think that it is a shame that after all of the planning, research and sacrifices some of us have made to put our children in this area and these schools, a small group of people can make a decision without our consent, and turn everything we worked and planned for upside down.
# 663:
11:45 am PST, Jan 2,Kevin and Marianne Umphlett, North Carolina
Keep children and families close in proximity to where they live promoting family involvement and participation in all of your schools. Work harder to improve any school that is not meeting goals and achieving excellence. I realize growth is a challenge, but by living in a desirable area our community and government should be prepared to meet the growth needs in all areas of infrastructure which includes schools.
# 662:
7:59 am PST, Jan 2,Michelle Moore, North Carolina
# 661:
6:24 am PST, Jan 2,Brad and Cathy Watling, North Carolina
# 660:
5:35 am PST, Dec 29,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 659:
1:01 pm PST, Dec 20,Anca Vesa, North Carolina
# 658:
1:01 pm PST, Dec 20,Allin Vesa, North Carolina
# 657:
11:46 am PST, Dec 20,Susan Sturgess, North Carolina
Please keep our kids where they belong in Mooresville!
# 656:
6:55 am PST, Dec 18,Name not displayed, North Carolina
Research shows that our children are highly influenced by the expectations around them. Keep them in schools that expect them to continue their education.
# 655:
4:45 am PST, Dec 10,Debbie Loebach, North Carolina
My children attend Woodland Heights and are at risk to be moved to Lake Norman with the rezoning. Although LNE is also a good school, I am concerned about the social/emotional impact on her. These schools do a great job of creating a sense of community, and children don't understand it if they have to be moved and are greatly disappointed. We moved here 2 years ago half way through my daugther's kindergarten year. The move was difficult for her because she is extremely shy, but she is now excelling at Woodland Heights. A transfer to another school would be detrimental to her development, from both an academic and social perspective. We need to make this rezoning decision based on what is best for our children, not what is best from a business perspective. If more portables are the answer to keeping our children at their current schools, that is just fine with me.
# 654:
10:16 am PST, Dec 9,Anna Marie Wilson, North Carolina
We moved 1&1/2 years ago. We searched the greater Charlotte area, researched all of the schools and are very happy with them and the performance I am seeing in my children. The move alone was quite difficult on my kids. If they were forced to switch schools, this would have a devastating impact on them, their performance, the friends the have made, and their overall sense of well-being.
# 653:
1:09 pm PST, Dec 8,Suzanne Spates, North Carolina
# 652:
6:16 pm PST, Dec 7,Name not displayed, North Carolina
Please support our children's education by stopping redistricting!
# 651:
1:35 pm PST, Dec 7,Herb Wettreich, North Carolina
# 650:
9:10 am PST, Dec 7,Steve and Mona Doyle, North Carolina
# 649:
8:20 pm PST, Dec 6,Kim Weddington, North Carolina
# 648:
2:14 pm PST, Dec 6,Ruth Klumb, North Carolina
# 647:
5:21 pm PST, Dec 5,Mary Allewalt, North Carolina
We moved here just over a year ago and chose a this home because of the schools. My children are finally feeling settled here, redistricting would wreak havoc on them and our family.
# 646:
2:14 am PST, Dec 4,Paula Saunders, North Carolina
No redistricting. When you redistrict you loose the glue that holds a neighborhood community together. You will also force many parents to leave altoghter and look for other school alternatives. Do the right thing and build the facilities necessary to educate our children.
# 645:
8:10 pm PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, Oklahoma
# 644:
7:56 pm PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 643:
2:23 pm PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 642:
1:59 pm PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, Oklahoma
# 641:
12:54 pm PST, Dec 3,Amanda Parrish, Arkansas
I am an educator and I don't agree with children being transported such distances to school. The children have to get up earlier thus making it a longer and more tiring day.
# 640:
12:36 pm PST, Dec 3,Shirley Prokop, North Carolina
# 639:
12:14 pm PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, North Carolina
We moved to Mooresville for the school district and it's reputation. The city and county should have considered this issue BEFORE they allowed new housing editions to be built. The housing editions that have been in Mooresville for 10 years are being punished because of lack of forsight.
# 638:
12:01 pm PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, North Carolina
The whole reason we moved from Huntersville to Mooresville was for the school system. I will NOT allow my child to go to Troutman Elementary and would pay for a private school or move!
# 637:
11:28 am PST, Dec 3,MarieAnne Hendrickson, North Carolina
# 636:
11:00 am PST, Dec 3,Frances Calhoun, North Carolina
We moved to Mooresville because of the schools, Please let them stay as they are
# 635:
10:54 am PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 634:
9:43 am PST, Dec 3,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 633:
8:13 am PST, Dec 3,Brigette Thomas, North Carolina
# 632:
8:06 am PST, Dec 3,Jack Lever, North Carolina
# 631:
7:46 am PST, Dec 3,John Grigioni, North Carolina
I oppose the redistricting of schools for 28117.
# 630:
7:39 am PST, Dec 3,Susan Grigioni, North Carolina
We purchased in our development specifically because of the Lake Norman schools. It took my daughter almost a full year to adjust to a new school and secure new friends. Now, they want her to do it again? Anyone remember how hard high school is without being the new kid? The School Board needs to think long and hard about this decision.
# 629:
7:35 am PST, Dec 3,Darice Taverna, North Carolina
I oppose redistricting. 28117 zip codes should stay in these schools. Any 28115 children attending Lake Norman schools should be the first to go elsewhere. I understand that subdivisions such as Fox Field in 28115 go to Lake Norman High School. They should be in Mooresville High and if there is not room in that school, they should be the first to be redistricted. Lake Norman area children should stay in Lake Norman.
# 628:
7:08 am PST, Dec 3,Sandra Visaggio, North Carolina
# 627:
4:51 am PST, Dec 3,Susan Johnson, North Carolina
# 626:
4:18 am PST, Dec 3,Nancy Lever, North Carolina
# 625:
4:03 am PST, Dec 3,Lynda Bourque, North Carolina
# 624:
6:56 pm PST, Dec 2,Lisa Temerson, North Carolina
# 623:
6:48 pm PST, Dec 2,Karen Neyland, North Carolina
If I wanted my children to attend Troutman or Statesville schools I would have moved into those towns. This proposal is unacceptable.
# 622:
4:15 pm PST, Dec 2,Erin Flowers, North Carolina
# 621:
3:28 pm PST, Dec 2,Brian Hatcher, North Carolina
# 620:
11:28 am PST, Dec 2,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 619:
6:02 am PST, Dec 2,Naisan Wachob, North Carolina
# 618:
5:45 am PST, Dec 2,Rex Stump, North Carolina
My wife and I specifically moved to the area we live in due to the school system (Lake Shore Elementary). I am disappointed that the school system feels it may be appropriate to force my child to go to a different school, and a potentially worse school. I have worked hard to give my child every advantage possible. My wife and I have been very supportive of the local school system, but that will come to a screeching hault if your proposal goes through. I suspect many parents will look towards private schools as will I. If that is your intention, then continue on.
# 617:
9:14 pm PST, Dec 1,Elyse Wachob, North Carolina
# 616:
7:26 pm PST, Dec 1,Amy White, North Carolina
We bought our house based on the schools our child would attend, specifically based on test scores and parent participation. It is unacceptable to move our children to schools of a different level than we chose when we invested as we did in our real estate for our children's education.
# 615:
6:35 pm PST, Dec 1,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 614:
4:03 pm PST, Dec 1,Louise Morris, North Carolina
In the mid-90s my son was bused from Brawley Pennisula to Statesville because there were no appropriate special education classes in the south end of the county. Busing those kinds of distances was wrong then, and it is wrong now.
From personal experience - Statesville schools are very different from those in the Mooresville area.
I dislike making generalizations as there are aways exceptions. But, my conclusion was that the defecit was perpetuated by the fact that the parents did not have the time and /or ability to get involved with their kids' education. Even after my son moved to classes at Brawley, I got calls asking me to come up to Statesville and help at the school as there were no parents to volunteer for special events or fund raisers. Hence very limited PTO funds!
If boundries are re-drawn how many parents are going to be able to drive 10 or 20 additional miles for a PTO meeting or to support a fundraiser?
The non-productive, inadequatly supervised time on a long bus ride is not a good way to begin or end a school day.
School should be part of the community we live in, not miles and miles away. We are proud of our schools and the support of parents has helped make them great.
Do not make our students suffer for lack of pre-planning in the county!
# 613:
11:55 am PST, Dec 1,Barbara Canter, North Carolina
# 612:
10:24 am PST, Dec 1,Pamela Bubenzer, North Carolina
# 611:
10:03 am PST, Dec 1,Rhonda Majocha, North Carolina
When we moved to NC we rented in Mecklenburg County. After seeing all the redistricting of schools there, we decided that Mooresville was the best place for us and Mooresville schools would be the best place for our children. We do not support pulling children from their schools, friends and community because of poor planning by the County and Board of Education. Other places we have lived would have expanded the schools to accommodate the increase, not tried to relocate children.
# 610:
8:13 am PST, Dec 1,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 609:
7:21 am PST, Dec 1,Robert Riffle, North Carolina
Please do not bus our students to Troutman and Statesville. It is costly and dangerous.
Thank You....Bob Riffle
# 608:
7:07 am PST, Dec 1,Dan Gnass, North Carolina
support our community and educational wellfare of our kids!
# 607:
6:53 am PST, Dec 1,Lori Pappas, North Carolina
Lack of control over rampant growth continues to be the downfall of the County Commission which disregards the welfare of Iredell residents with their short sightedness. We planned our move to this area for the schools...now you plan to redistrict our schools to fix the problem YOU allowed to happen. I totally oppose the proposed re-drawing of school boundry lines!
# 606:
6:26 am PST, Dec 1,Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 605:
6:23 am PST, Dec 1,Pam Schettler, North Carolina
# 604:
6:12 am PST, Dec 1,Cindy Morris, North Carolina
# 603:
6:06 am PST, Dec 1,Nancy Wilson, North Carolina
Our grandchildren will be affected by these planned moves. The problem has arisen because the County Commissioners and Board of Education didn't consult each other when allowing neighborhoods to be built without appropriate classroom space for these children. Our children should not be penalized because of your poor planning.
# 602:
6:01 am PST, Dec 1,Cheryl Mendenhall, North Carolina
# 601:
5:54 am PST, Dec 1,William and Diane Kissel, North Carolina
