<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=48KrH4_0vkUcHgV00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=48KrH4_0vkUcHgV00" width="1320" height="743" >Hannibal, Mo. (KHQA) — The Hannibal School Board held a public forum Wednesday evening, to hear feedback on their proposed redistricting plans.Hannibal has not redistricted since 2000, and since that time, the city's population has shifted to the west, causing imbalances in the number of kids at all five elementary schools.Much like the rest of the country, the district has seen declining enrollment rates.The district currently has three plans:<ol><li>The first option would be to do a classic redistricting and keep all five schools open.</li><li>The second option would involve redistricting and closing a school, likely Eugene Field.</li><li>Third, would be a grade level center plan, where one school would be closed, three would be K through 3rd, and the fourth would be for 4th and 5th graders.</li></ol>Parents who came out to speak did so in overwhelming support for plan one: classic redistricting.Their concerns for the other two plans were numerous and included class sizes, socio-economic imbalances, staffing, and what would be done with the Eugene Field building.The district made these plans with these criteria in mind:<ul><li>Enrollment balance, to ensure that resources are being used as efficiently as possible.</li><li>Socio-Economic Balance, to ensure that all levels of the socio-economic scale are represented at each school.</li><li>Transportation distance and safety, to minimize the distance traveled by students and parents, while also focusing on student health and safety.</li><li>Maintaining subdivisions: boundaries will be drawn to maintain neighborhood and subdivisions all within one school attendance boundary.</li><li>Minimal attendance changes: the number of students having to change what school they attend will be kept to a minimum wherever possible.</li></ul>A final decision has not been made, and Hannibal Superintendent Susan Johnson says if the decision to close a school is made, it will not be made lightly."I know it's going to be a difficult decision for the board and I don't envy them for that, I think it will be very difficult, but I do think in the long run I think it could be in the best interest of our students, which is what we should base all our decisions on." Johnson stated.Johnson says in order for these changes to be made by next school year, a decision must be reached in October or November at the latest.</div></body>

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Hannibal community debates three school redistricting options amid shifting demographics

Hannibal, Mo. (KHQA) — The Hannibal School Board held a public forum Wednesday evening, to hear feedback on their proposed redistricting plans. Hannibal has not redistricted since 2000, and since that time, the city's population has shifted to the west, causing imbalances in the number of kids at all five elementary schools.