CLOVER, S.C. — Unexpected growth led to the decision made by leaders of the Clover School District to send some elementary students to a new school next year.
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“I have a second-grader so to me, he’s still a little baby and he’s comfortable where he is at,” said parent Holly Bean.
Bean isn’t happy about the decision by Clover Schools to rezone her community.
Her child will be forced next year to move from Bethany Elementary School to Larne Elementary School, which is about seven miles away.
“There was a little bit of sadness pretty much,” she said. “We love Bethany Elementary.”
Bean moved to the western part of Clover three years ago to build a new home in the school district.
She was not alone.
School leaders said Bethany Elementary added about 16 new students over the summer for the past three years, which impacted the student-teacher ratio.
They said the growth in the western part of Clover has been unexpected and difficult to track.
“It’s a very rural area with a lot of parcels popping up here and there, so the growth has been sporadic,” said Bryan Dillon, with Clover Schools.
So, leaders decided to move elementary school students in the small portion of the western district to Larne Elementary.
“I think that’s why a lot of people are upset because Bethany is such a good school,” Bean said.
Bean said she’s coming to grips with the decision, and district leaders provided assurance for parents who are still concerned.
“They’re going to be met by caring and open arms by an administration at whatever school they’re at,” Dillon said.
School leaders also considered leaving things the way they are, but they said that would have had a negative impact on student-teacher ratios.
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