Putnam Schools Zoning Variances Approved

The Putnam County School Board voted to allow five students affected by board rezoning to change schools.

But School Board members warned parents this zoning exemption may not be possible going forward.

“These families need to understand that that doesn’t mean we would make an exception the next year if they have siblings coming up,” School Board Member Kim Cravens said. “If they have younger siblings, they may really want to consider going to where they’re zoned for.”

The ruling affects three students at Sycamore Elementary School and two students at Algood Elementary. They had asked for a variance from the school system earlier this month.

School Board Chair Dawn Fry said the zoning will be more important as the county continues to grow. That means it is important to hold firm on variances.

“We don’t want to get away from it, we have it there for a reason and a purpose,” School Board Member David McCormick said.

Algood currently projected at 93.3 percent capacity for the fall semester. Sycamore stands at 84.7 percent.

“We have restricted Sycamore so much that their incoming kindergarten and first grade numbers are low,” Attendance Supervisor Chris Pierce said.