Concord elementary school could close under redistricting plan

CONCORD, N.C. — The Cabarrus County Board of Education is considering four options under a redistricting plan, which would dramatically change four elementary schools.

Changes are being considered because Royal Oaks Elementary School in Kannapolis will reopen as a fine arts magnet in August 2018. About 600 to 700 students would be able to enroll.

Three out of the four options would close Beverly Hills STEM Elementary School in Concord.

[LINK: Royal Oaks Boundary Options]

Parents at Beverly Hills have been fighting to keep the school open.

Jamie Benion said she has three children that go to that school. She said the trip to Royal Oaks would add an extra 15 to 20 minutes to her children's commute.

"I just hope the community realizes closing this school would cause a big issue," Benion said.

Beverly Hills PTO president Ada Kendrick said she is worried about transportation and taking children away from the established neighborhood.

"We want our kids to go to school in our community, and Royal Oaks and Kannapolis are not in our community," Kendrick said.

Kendrick said she is also concerned that STEM students would be going to a fine arts school. She said parents and the community are pushing board members to vote for the only option that doesn't shut down Beverly Hills.

These are the four school that would impacted by the proposals: Beverly Hills STEM Elementary School, Charles E. Boger Elementary, Winecoff Elementary School and W M Irvin Elementary School.

[LINK: Community Information and Feedback Sessions]

There are more meetings and two public hearings so parents can weigh-in before the school board vote in December.

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