SEATTLE—
It's official - Seattle Public Schools is return to a neighborhood-based system similar to one the district got rid of 30 years ago.The school board voted late last night to approve a new set of boundaries for most of the district's schools. The new neighborhood-based assignment system -- puts kids in schools closer to their homes.
The board's vote was unanimous .. but many people at a hearing last night were against the plan.
Jocelyn Plass who opposed the plan told Q13 FOX News, "This forces us to do one of three things. We may move. We may have a five year old and a six year old in different schools. Or we may make my oldest child change to a new school."
Joanna Cullen who also opposed the new boundaries said, "And by 2015, I believe, you'll have way more students in the Central District than you currently have capacity for."
The previous plan allowed students to apply to any school -- but didn't guarantee them a spot at any particular one.
The new plan still gives them an option to apply at other schools.
The Seattle School Board hasn't decided how to phase in this new plan.
The boundaries do make small changes in the areas around five sets of elementary schools: Bryant/View Ridge, McDonald/Green Lake, Whittier, West Woodland, Loyal Heights/Adams, and Alki/Lafayette.
The boundaries will be phased in starting next fall with students in kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades.
