This certainly cannot stop with just a “no” vote. The people who inspire the no vote need to keep their momentum going to ensure the next plan is the “yes” plan.

I don’t come to this issue without any experience. I lived in Gwinnett County, Georgia from 1984-1995, when it was the fastest growing county in the country. System-wide rezonings were on an annual basis; not every 15 years like it is here. That stopped in 1990 when the county (voters) passed a massive tax increase so the school zones could be made permanent. Any new zones that were added had its full complement of High School, Middle School and Elementary Schools. Knox County could do the same (and should imho) but it will cost you. I also lived in Marion County, FL, where they added 2 new high schools in 7 years.

Growth has its share of benefits and pains, school rezonings are one of them. Since Knox County doesn’t rezone that often, it doesn’t surprise me that they are a little inept in how they execute whatever they plan. What impressed me about the plan was at least the effort by the school system to plan beyond the next budget cycle. Of course, the devil is in the details and there are certainly tweeks that can be made that would improve it.

As far as participation, you have done a great service to the interested by your work on Reality Me. As far as influence, the group of parents you belong to will probably do a good job of stopping the “plan,” but you have to engage a whole new audience (County commission, individual developers and even the State Legislature) to influence where new subdivisions are going to go in the county. From the way I see it, the school system and the citizens of Knox county will have to deal with the reality that is growth.

The rezoning plan in its current state is not researched well, is not supported through good figures (the MPC data specifically is in question), and other, better, alternatives such as permanent geographic zones with open enrollment or smaller community school have not been explored.

I think that if the parents did not care about the school system as a whole that such a forum would never have come together. This rezoning goes beyond just parents as it will affect property values of homes whether or not you have children. It will affect your morning drive because additional cars and buses will be traveling longer routes. This is beyond just the parents. This is about environment, economics, logic, and responsible government.

The forum is to discussion the school system as a whole. Neil, I hope you come participate and give you input.