Attendance zones change for elementary school students Published June 4, 2010 By Staff Report 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The Bossier Parish School Board has modified the school attendance zones on base beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Elementary school-age children living on main base will attend Waller Elementary while those living on the East reservation will attend Kerr Elementary. The change comes with the local school board's attempt to alleviate the overcrowding potential at Kerr Elementary, help stabilize the educational experiences for the youth and comply with federal desegregation order. "As schools exceed capacity, either new schools are built or attendance zones are reevaluated," said Reginald Coles, Barksdale school liaison officer. "The attendance zones are drawn to capture the most students who can reasonably be accommodated in neighboring schools. Before this change, two children who live across the street from one another would get on different school buses-- one would go to classes at Kerr Elementary and the other would go to Waller Elementary. Now, children who live across the street from one another will be attending the same school." A handful of students may be impacted and the school board will handle these on a case by case basis. "It should not affect any families in an adverse way," Mr. Coles said. "It is my understanding from the town hall meeting last fall that families living on the main side and on the eastside were told about this possibility. I have worked very closely with the school board and staff and know firsthand they consider the adverse impact military children face. Their proactive decisions greatly reduce the anxiety that the servicemember may have. The military family trusts the school system to be safe and to provide a challenging, quality education. In my observation the best interests of the military children are being considered." Mr. Coles suggests it would be beneficial for parents of school-aged children to join the Barksdale Community Education Partnership. "The BCEP is a group of families who have had a significant impact upon decisions that affect children on base," he said. "In the past couple of months, the BCEP has met to discuss ways to reduce the adverse impact military children have historically faced. The BCEP met as recently as last month with Bossier Parish School Board representatives and school board staff to discuss educational issues like this. This particular change is actually a by-product of discussions about academic rigor in public school systems." As of now, there are no plans to change attendance zones for middle or high school students. Student's school information will be automatically transferred to the appropriate school to ensure proper enrollment. Bussing service will also be provided. For questions or more information, call Mr. Coles at 456-8400, Kerr Elementary at 549-6560 or Waller Elementary at 549-6850.