Rezoning City Schools Will Hurt Low-Income Students

In recent years, inner-city school districts have worked to balance budgets despite cuts in funding and unpredictable enrollment. I realize that the process of changing school boundaries and closing/consolidating schools can perhaps address budget and enrollment problems; however, it can and ultimately will disproportionately affect disadvantages students and families.

As the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education prepares to vote on re-zoning schools on October 20th, I certainly hope that consideration will be given to the fact that despite changing demographics in gentrifying communities and the positive results associated with diversity, schools still remain segregated.

Re-zoning and closure will impact black and lower-income students, families and communities. Students from the schools will be sent to schools either far away from their homes, less diverse or even worse, lower performing.