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Second forum draws bigger crowd
But turnout still smaller than planned for
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Bryan County Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Brooksher gives a presentation to parents at Thursday's community forum on the system's proposed attendance lines for McAllister Elementary. Though administrators prepared for more than 1,000 people to attend, the crowd was much smaller, as can be seen in this photo. One administrator said 160 people were there. More on the story, and some feedback from parents who attended, in the Dec. 11 issue of the Bryan County News. - photo by Jeff Whitten

The second of three community forums on proposed attendance zone for the new McAllister Elementary school in South Bryan drew dozens of people to Richmond Hill Middle School on Thursday night.

There, they heard a presentation from Bryan County Schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Brooksher before breaking into groups to discuss the proposed plans and give school officials feedback.

See proposed zones on this interactive map: http://specialprojects.coastalcourier.com/NewSchoolDistrict/BryanCountySouth_ProposedMESdistrict.html

School officials had prepared for crowds as large as 1,000, but turnout fell far short of that. Many of those who attended live in neighborhoods near McAllister, but will see their children go to schools in Richmond Hill instead of the new school, which is scheduled to open in August.

After the small group discussions, which were facilitated by school administrators and held in various classrooms, some parents said they’re concerned whether all students will be treated equally regardless of district lines.

One more community forum will be held before school officials come up the attendance zone. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 8 at RHMS. The school board could vote on the district in February.

School enrollment has grown by leaps and bounds in Bryan County since the early 2000s and officials estimate another 1,200 children will be added to the student population in just five years.

All of the grade schools in Richmond Hill are over capacity at present, and administrators have discussed the need to begin planning for additional schools once McAllister is open.

More on this story in the Dec. 11 issue of the Bryan County News.

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