WDBJ7 Roanoke News and Weather NRV Lynchburg Danville | UPDATED: School Board votes to re-draw attendance zones focusing on elementary schools

UPDATED: School Board votes to re-draw attendance zones focusing on elementary schools

The debate may not be over, but the vote is in.

Friday, the Roanoke City School Board decided to re-draw school attendance zones, choosing an alternative that favors neighborhood schools over cross town busing.

It's clear that some parents will like this decision, and many others will not, but board members insist they've chosen the best option for the school district and its students.

School Board members say they listened to Roanokers concerns and made adjustments. Arguing the final plan is better than the one they started with.

"I felt that this board did a very good job of balancing the interests. I also thought this board did a very good job of being responsive to the community, particularly those substantive concerns that people had to share," says Roanoke City School Board Chairman David Carson.

The vote was six to one in favor of Option Three.

The lone 'no' vote from board member Courtney Penn who said option two offered more racial diversity.

"Forty years and multiple millions of dollars in the magnet grants didn't do the trick, 44 however, we are obligated both morally and through policy to create zones that maximize diversity to the extent reasonably possible," says Penn.

One parent who attended the meeting was pleased with the focus on neighborhood schools.

It seems to be very community based. Parents will have more of an opportunity to volunteer at school. Kids are going to be going to school with their peers, so I'm really in favor of that," says parent Robert Howard.

The president of the Roanoke branch of the NAACP said the group's education committee will review the decision.

"We want to congratulate them for a difficult mission they had to accomplish. We respect their decision, but we have to further evaluate the consequences of the decision," says Brenda Hale, Roanoke NAACP President.

The board also voted to make Fishburne Park a magnet school.

A decision they hope will increase enrollment and diversity there.

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Members of the Roanoke City School Board have voted six to one in favor of Option 3. 

Attendance zones haven't changed in Roanoke in 38 years.  The school board wants to create more neighborhood schools, but some fear the schools will become less diverse.

Option 3 would create attendance zones based on elementary schools.

On Friday, board members said adjustments have improved racial diversity, and they said it is the best for educational and operational efficiency. 

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