Letter from Kim Kerr

Dear Ms. Marshall,

I am writing to you in regards to the 2010 Boundaries issue. I am extremely concerned with the current proposed boundaries involving our community (US Census Tract 0620819). I come to you, hoping that you can support and communicate my concerns to all those involved in this process. I applied to be a part of the advisory committees, but was not selected. I am curious if it were an oversight or a strategy to keep members from this corridor off of the high school sub committee.

It was not without careful consideration and financial strain that we purchased our home in the Godwin District. We have lived in this neighborhood for 12 years and have attended plays, concerts and athletics at Godwin High School. We have invested our time and efforts into this school and our children, neighbors’ children and friends along the Pemberton corridor have helped achieve the stellar academic environment that Godwin High School offers. Our children deserve to reap the educational benefits their siblings and neighbors have set forth.

I am particularly agitated with the 4 maps that are up for consideration. I cannot fathom breaking up this area into 3 different high schools. What will happen to our sense of community? Parents who have worked side by side at bake sales and blood drives, mourned loses, celebrated victories, organized field trips and carpools, will be divided by imaginary lines. In one case, map #16, has a boundary line drawn between Oldhouse Run and Rockstone, in actuality, this line is a mere driveway, as our neighborhood and Rockstone share entrances. I would encourage all of the subcommittees and officials to tour this area, and see how our neighborhoods are inter-connected with shared roads and common areas.

Of the twelve years that I have lived here, rezoning issues have affected our community at least 3 times prior to this one. It is unfair, that even with the current proposals, we are still on a boundary line and will undoubtedly come up for rezoning once again, in the future.

My son who currently attends eighth grade at Byrd Middle, will attend 9th grade at Godwin, in 2010, under the current proposal, he will be rezoned to a different school. That is absurd. My son has an educational 504 Plan in place, he has ADHD and with this comes issues with change. He is achieving academic success and social confidence in his current situation, if this plan is carried out, his situation would be equal to starting over at square one. We have come too far to start over with his education plan.

As our elected official, I appreciate your attention and would like to hear your response to these concerns. I feel confident that this boundary debacle is not the way you would like to define your term in office. Please support Oldhouse Run and the Pemberton Corridor to STAY AT GODWIN.

Regards,

Kim Kerr

9514 Oldhouse Drive

Richmond, VA 23238