Several dozen parents met in the middle of the cul de sac on Sgt. Daly Drive on Wednesday night to consolidate efforts to oppose proposed school redistricting plans in eastern Hamilton County.
"Too many people feel victimized," said event organizer Ryan Ledford.
He and other parents said that they felt blindsided with the proposed district changes that would send their children to different schools in the fall.
The school board's plan seems "hastily conceived," said Chris DeLong, a parent and engineer with a background in planned community development.
"[Parents] haven't had the opportunity to provide input and have hat input considered," he continued.
While several parents conceded that redistricting may be inevitable, they complained that they were not involved with the process.
"[County officials] are putting only one option on the table," said parent Andy Hodes.
At the meeting, Ledford proposed a three-part plan. He organized delegations to visit nearby subdivisions and educate homeowners. He encouraged other parents to share their attempts to contact county officials and urged those in attendance to continue writing and calling. Finally, he asked for professionals -- including lawyers, Realtors and engineers -- to consider alternatives to the school board's proposal.
Ledford, who has requested budget estimates and planning documents from Superintendent Rick Smith, said that the county should consider parents an asset that only want to help.
Meanwhile, other parents suggested that school board members are failing to rise to the occasion.
Their meeting minutes have not been posted since August, said parents. One parent said that of the nine board members, only four have been involved with the proposed redistricting and some parents questioned the other members' ability to cast a reasoned vote.
"The school board should have the same passion we have!" Ledford said.
Parents voiced several concerns over changing schools, saying the process would be disruptive to family life. Parents also pointed to poorer academic records at some schools and wondered if Ooltewah High School was more dangerous than East Hamilton.
Parents might not have to wait long to see if their opposition has swayed school board members, who may vote to approve the new district lines as soon as March 15.