Walker County school officials this week unveiled a draft version of how schools might be redistricted to include Saddle Ridge Elementary and Middle School, scheduled to open this fall.

The school, for grades kindergarten through eighth, is under construction on U.S. 27 in Rock Spring. It has a capacity of 678 students but will begin with 500-550 students.

The redistricting draft, unveiled at a county Board of Education planning session Tuesday, Feb. 12, showed that the largest number of students for Saddle Ridge Elementary will come from Cherokee Ridge Elementary, superintendent of schools Damon Raines said at the planning session.

North LaFayette and Rock Spring elementary schools also have a significant shift in students, based on the current criteria, Raines said.

The three existing middle schools in Walker County would begin next school year with approximately 550-575 students, he said.

Printed versions of the proposed redistricting map will be given to school principals, who have already given some suggestions as the planning began, which helped resolve some initial enrollment discrepancies.

Click here to continue reading.