School District of Pickens County, SC Easley Area Rezoning Recommendation January 22, 2018 Cropper GIS Consulting, LLC Matthew Cropper Delaware, OH mcropper@croppergis.com 614-451-1242 McKibben Demographics
Why are we rezoning? • To use school facilities more efficiently based on projected attendance and available space – East End Elementary is above recommended capacity, and its student population is projected to grow over the next five years – Crosswell Elementary, Forest Acres Elementary, and West End Elementary all have capacity for greater enrollment • To improve car and bus transportation routes within school zones • To improve attendance • To increase space for students to choice in to the upcoming McKissick Academy of Science & Technology from outside the McKissick attendance zone McKibben Demographics
What is the process for rezoning? September-November • SDPC hired Cropper GIS and McKibben Demographics as consultants – Extensive experience with demographics projections and rezoning – Access to databases for more accurate projections • Looked at demographic projections from consultants in October • Based on this data, Easley area schools had inconsistencies in building utilization; some schools were projected to be overpopulated and some underpopulated • Considered rezoning options for the Easley area with both consultants and Easley principals McKibben Demographics
What is the process for rezoning? November-December • Brought recommendations from consultants and principals to SDPC Board of Trustees • SDPC Board of Trustees selected two options to take to public • SDPC Staff communicated rezoning options to the public January Two public input sessions were held on January 9 th and January 16 th to • share options with public (gallery walk format) and discuss the rezoning with members of the public Online survey was open from January 9 th through January 17 th to solicit additional input – from the public. McKibben Demographics
Rezoning Options • Option 1 Option 2 Options were drafted to better 2017-18 Enrolled Estimated Estimated Recommended Maximum Utilization % School Name Utilization % Utilization % balance utilization, while also Capacity Capacity (Recommended (Recommended (Recommended Capacity) Capacity) Capacity) focusing on the impact of Crosswell ES 718 798 66% 79% 83% demographics. East End ES 718 798 106% 84% 80% Forest Acres ES 889 987 78% 91% 89% McKissick ES 491 546 95% 77% 77% West End ES 907 1008 75% 79% 82% Study Area Total 3723 4137 82% 82% 82% 1 Student data as of 2017-18. The estimated enrollment is calculated by adding the 2017-18 PK students to their 2017-18 school, plus the K-5th students that “Live Out and Attend In” a 2017-18 school, plus the total number of live in K-5th grade students within each new DRAFT option zone that “Live and Attend In” during the 2017-18 school year. Option 1 Option 2 Enrolled FR School Name Estimated Estimated Lunch % FR Lunch % FR Lunch % Crosswell ES 60% 58% 59% East End ES 52% 55% 55% Forest Acres ES 38% 39% 39% McKissick ES 80% 80% 80% McKibben Demographics West End ES 66% 66% 66% Study Area Total 57% 57% 57% school, plus the K-5th students that “Live Out and Attend In” students within each new DRAFT option zone that “Live and Attend In” during the 2017-18 school year.
Rezoning Options McKibben Demographics
Rezoning Options • Options were drafted to better balance utilization, while also focusing on the impact of demographics. McKibben Demographics
Rezoning Options • Options were drafted to better balance utilization, while also focusing on the impact of demographics. McKibben Demographics
Survey Results Total Respondents by Live-In Elementary School Zone Total Percent of • Good feedback: Approximately 40 attended Live-In Elementary Zone Respondents Respondents Crosswell Elementary 69 11.90% the public input sessions, and 580 respondents East End Elementary 183 31.55% to the online survey! Forest Acres Elementary 151 26.03% McKissick Elementary 73 12.59% • Input regarding the options show a relatively West End Elementary 78 13.45% DNA 1 0.17% balanced opinion regarding Option 1 and No Response 1 0.17% Other (please specify) 24 4.14% Option 2. Total 580 Elementary Options Attitude Summary Option Attitude ES Option 1 ES Option 2 Approve 104 27.2% 89 25.9% Like 49 12.8% 38 11.0% Neutral 119 31.1% 122 35.5% Dislike 63 16.4% 48 14.0% Oppose 48 12.5% 47 13.7% Total 383 100.0% 344 100.0% McKibben Demographics
Common Question: Grandfathering • Rising 5 th graders can stay at their schools if parents provide transportation. • We will not provide transportation outside of the school zones. McKibben Demographics
Recommendation • Cropper GIS Consulting recommends that SDPC implement the Easley Rezoning Option 2. – The Option best balances building utilization among schools in the area. – Impact on demographics is comparable between both options. – The public input shows a relatively balanced opinion between both options. – Option 2 is recommended with a focus on what is best for all students in the Easley area. McKibben Demographics
Next Steps • After the January 22 vote by the SDPC Board of Trustees, parents of students at an Easley area elementary school will receive a letter stating their current zoned school and their 2018-2019 school. • School locator application on the SDPC website will be updated to reflect 2018-2019 elementary zones. • Realtors will be notified. McKibben Demographics
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