Rezoning expected for some Madison students

By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Some kindergarten through ninth grade students in Madison City Schools will be faced with rezoning for the 2004-2005 school year.
Even though it's not required by law to rezone a school system, as fast as Madison's schools are growing, Superintendent Dr. Henry Clark said this will be the third time in the system's five year history that rezoning has taken place.
"It is important that we keep a balance in all of our schools and as we see significant growth occurring in western Madison, two of our schools located on County Line Road, Heritage Elementary and Liberty Middle have both reached its capacity."
To date, there are 912 students enrolled at Heritage and 897 students enrolled at Liberty. There are approximately 6,763 students enrolled in all of the city school's. That number is expected to climb to as many as 7,000 students at the beginning of the 2003-2004 school year.
"Upon the construction of our new elementary school on Balch Road, and with the addition planned at Discovery Middle School, we will be able to shift the current zone lines around to create an equal balance among all of our schools," Clark said.
Clark said 80 acres of land on County Line Road has been purchased for a future high school. The superintendent said while there are no immediate plans to build another high school in Madison, one could be built within the next nine to 10 years.
"Before any new zoning lines are drawn, we will have public input in the issue," Clark said. "There will be a lot of questions – as expected, and we will make sure those questions are answered."
Sidebar:
2002-2004 enrollment in Madison City Schools (by school)
Bob Jones High School – 1,461
Discovery Middle School – 762
Heritage Elementary School – 912
Horizon Elementary School – 699
Liberty Middle School – 897
Madison Elementary School – 646
Rainbow Elementary School – 814
West Madison Elementary School – 504