As of Oct 20, 2024
A vote to redistrict elementary school South of Gloucester away from St. Simons Elementary and Oglethorpe Point Elementary School was postponed
Brief Overview
Beginning in February 2024, the Glynn County Board of Education (BOE) began working on a plan examine and adjust school district lines for all elementary, middle and high school in Glynn County, Ga.
Phase 1: Rezone All Elementary School
Phase 2: Rezone All Middle & High Schools
Goal: "Neighborhood Schools." Their current plan would redistrict all historic neighborhoods South of Gloucester (SoGlo), away from their current elementary schools of St Simons Elementary and Oglethorpe Point Elementary School.
Redistricting is a complex and we are working to build consensus across our whole SoGlo community, so when the conversation begins again we can speak for ourselves before the BOE and present a unified voice.
Email From Dr. Scott Spence
Here is the most recent email we received form Dr. Scott Spence updating us on the BOE's plans to postpone rezoning.
Re: Rezoning
Thank you for your email and concerns. At this time, we have decided to postpone the previous timeline. Since we have over two years before the new school will be ready, there seems to be little reason to rush into a decision on rezoning. In the near future, we will provide opportunities for community feedback and stakeholder comments on the rezoning of our schools in Glynn County. You will be notified by our social media outlets and the ParentSquare platform when these opportunities are available.
Scott
Important Dates 2024
The Glynn County Schools Redistricting process began Februaryof this year with the formation of The Rezone Taskforce. For Phase 1 the group began redistricting elementary school zones.
Delayed Awareness
A majority of the residents most directly affected by proposed zoning changes, The SoGlo School District, only became aware of the proposed changes in September of this year.
An initial Vote by the Board of Education, set for December 2024, has been postponed for an undetermined amount of time.
Committee Process Timeline
Although the committee's process is technically paused, the same process will be followed once the rezoning conversation begins again.
Phase 1: Redistrict All Elementary Schools in Glynn County
Phase 2: Redistrict All Middle + High Schools in Glynn County
Phase 1 Timeline: Elementary Schools
Current: Indefinite
Listening Groups + Steering Committee
We do not know exactly what will be going on in the near future or If the Steering Committee will be meeting.
Signup for updates and we'll keep you in the loop
"Near Future"Process Begins Again
You will be notified by BOE social media outlets and the ParentSquare platform (and here) when this begins
TBD: Nov
Community Meeting
Dr. Spence will hold a community meeting where he will officially share his plan and solicit feedback.
Postponed - No date Set
TBD: Nov/Dec '24
BOE Vote
Board of Education votes and finalizes New Elementary School Districts.
Postponed - No Vote Date Set
50+ Questions Answered
Dr. Spence explains the proposed new zones, the role Sea Island might play in determining school zoning, and what changes will occur at SSE and in the neighborhoods South of Gloucester.
Join The Conversation
Familiarize yourself with the issues
Explore all the documents and Videos have on file
We have Maps, SPLOST Survey Data, Meeting PPTs, and just about anything we could get our hands on. What's ours is yours, take a look. Get to know what they are thinking and why; this is where the conversation will pick up.
DropBox Full of Files
All the files, maps and documents we have to related to this zoning process
Watch Zoning Q+A Video w/ Transcript
Dr. Spence provides insight into the thinking and rationale behind the proposed zones
Phase 1: Proposed Elem. School Zone Map
The most recently drawn map from the zoning task force - March 2024
Get to know Board of Education
If you feel inclined to reach out to them, please do. They are responsive.
The Board of Education has the final say on any changes to the county's school zoning, and it will be the body that determines what schools are within the SoGlo School District.
Get to know them, and let them hear from you think in a respectful manner. They need to hear from the people who's lives and schools their decisions are affecting.
Share this website + connect with us
The biggest issue with this process is that most of the people who will be directly affected by the rezoning process are still unaware that it is even happening, as of today. We have an opportunity to get the conversation going and help people voice their concerns or provide constructive feedback to the BOE.
Ways to Stay Connected
Sign up for updates
The Board of Education has not set a date for when the conversation will begin again on either phase of redistricting. Staying connected and well informed is the best way for all of us to get the best results for our community.
We promise to take care of your private information and only use it to update you when big things are happening.
Phases of Redistricting
Phase 1: Elementary Schools (no date set)
Phase 2: Middle + High Schools (no date set)
Contact The Board Of Education
Let them know you are concerned about proposed changes to our school district
We believe that the BOE of eduction needs to hear from as many community members and residents who are going to be negatively affected by these changes, as soon as possible.
The vote to redistrict SoGlo was set to occurring Nov/Dec 2024.They do not have a new vote date set yet.
This issue is not going away. We believe that our community needs to stay informed and actively engage the Board of Education if we are going to provide at the best educational results for all students within our district.
Template To Address Elementary School Zoning
Est Time: 5-10
Not Sure what to Write? Consider using our template below and make it your own by:
1. Deleting extra text you don't need or want
2. Filling out and replacing the [content you find in brackets like this].
Subject: Request to Keep Our Home Zoned for St. Simons / Oglethorpe Elementary School
[Dear Board Member’s Name OR Greetings] ,
I hope this message finds you well. Thank you for your service and commitment to our community.
My name is [Your Name], and I reside at [Your Address]. I am writing to express my desire to keep my home zoned for St. Simons Elementary School/Oglethorpe Elementary School, rather than rezoning South of Gloucester out of this school district.
I understand that this is a complex issue, especially since our community is one of the most diverse school zones in the county. Because of this diversity, our needs are more nuanced and require a solution that addresses different concerns without putting various groups at odds with one another. A "one size fits all" approach won't work here. I believe there must be a more creative solution that keeps zoning intact while helping students attend the school that best meets their needs, and I would love to help figure out how we can make this work.
[Add additional thoughts or personal stories of how this may affect you]
Thank you for considering my perspective. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and working together toward a solution that benefits all families in the district.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Contact Information]
Want Resources To Reference?
Here are all the files we have access to related to this zoning process.
Mac: ⌘ + C to copy and ⌘ + V to paste
Marcus Edgy <medgy@glynn.k12.ga.us>,
Eddy Sams <esams@glynn.k12.ga.us>,
John Madala <j_madala4@yahoo.com>,
Hank Yeargen<hankyeargan@yahoo.com>,
Audrey Gibbons <snobbig01@gmail.com>,
Mike Hulsey <mhulsey1@bellsouth.net>,
Jerry Mancil <jmancil@seaside-electricga.com>,
Scott Spence <scott.spence@glynn.k12.ga.us>
Glynn County Board of Education Members
FAQs
Let us know if you have any questions that are not answered here.
No. And as of October 29th, 2024 a decision was made to rezoning discussions and a vote until a later date.
We are not clear when the conversation will begin again, and according to the Superintendent it will be "in the near future.
1. Sign the petition
2. Contact Board of Education Members
3. Tell a neighbor and Share this website link
4. Stay informed - Sign up for updates
We believe guaranteed access to schools that score high on the College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) is important to a majority of the residents with children who currently live South of Gloucester and who are considering moving to Historic Neighborhoods, South of Gloucester.
The more people value an area and its schools, the more they will invest in that area, choose to move this area, and encourage others to do the same.
This leads to longterm community growth, development, and prosperity.
The School Zones located south of Gloucester are the most diverse Historic Neighborhoods in all of Glynn County, with a rich blend of ethnicities, races, ages, and income levels.
This diversity reflects the vibrant character of our historic neighborhoods and highlights the unique mix of families, professionals, and retirees who contribute to the area's cultural and economic fabric."