breaking news

New Boundaries Set For Rogers Students

By: Tyler Thomason

Updated: March 12, 2013

"One thing about this school board is they've always tried to reach out and give options," says Rogers parent David Walsworth.

That seems to be exactly what the Rogers School District decided to do Tuesday night.

"The school board voted to take the committee recommendation, and extend what we call 'grandfathering' down to our 6th graders," says Mark Sparks of the Rogers School Board.

"So, all of our students that our presently in secondary schools are going to be allowed to continue their education in their feeder pattern, as it exists."

The decision comes after more than four months of figuring out how to funnel students into a new elementary school that's expected to open next fall.

"When we build another school we have to have boundaries and we have to put students in it," Sparks says.

This amendment from the original proposal allows nearly 200 more students to take advantage of grandfathering, as long as parents provide transportation; keeping them in the same schools they've become used to.

"I think the board worked really hard on this," Walsworth says.

Walsworth has an 8th grader and an 11th grader, and he thinks the board did the best they could to balance enrollment across an ever-growing district.

"With the options of grandfathering in, and the options of providing transportation if they're staying in the route their going right now, I don't think you can be anymore fair than that," Walsworth says.

"We tried to be very, very transparent," Sparks says.

"That means some changes for some families, the board listened, I think that we did the best we could to accommodate as many of our patrons as possible."

Bigger, Better Coverage on Facebook Coming Soon!
Moving day is coming for KNWA Today and Fox Morning Edge!
Read More»
Non-Profit LifeSource Hopes to Raise $5,000 by June 28
LifeSource provides adult education and job readyment programs, as well as a food pantry and clothing closet, and it needs your help to keep helping...
Read More»
Rogers Lake Drained for Evidence Search
ROGERS, AR-- An anonymous tip led the Benton County Sheriff to drain this lake.
Read More»
Scott County Appoints Late Sheriff's Wife to Take Over His Position
Amie Carpenter has been chosen as the new Scott County sheriff after her husband was killed in the line of duty last month.
Read More»
WEB EXTRA: The Voice's Josiah Hawley Picks the Next Winner
(KNWA)-- The Voice season finale starts is Tuesday at 7 right here on KNWA. Former contestant and Fort Smith native Josiah Hawley give us his...
Read More»