More than three dozen Pasco County parents turned out this morning to urge the School Board to reconsider proposed new school attendance boundaries.

They didn't get any relief. They didn't have their requests turned down, either.

The School Board unanimously approved the proposals on first hearing, but made clear that things could change on Nov. 17, when the item come back for a final vote.

"At that time we can still make an amendment," board member Joanne Hurley said.

The biggest concerns arose from the Suncoast Lakes subdivision, where parents strongly oppose moving their children from River Ridge High to Hudson High.

"Parents pay a premium for their homes believing they would be sending
their children to River Ridge HS. That was very important to them," parent Laura Cole told the board.

A second, smaller group of parents from the Oakstead community urged the board to take more students out of their overcrowded elementary school and put them into Elementary S, which opens in the fall.

"We're way beyond capacity," parent Michelle Marsh said. "I wish you all would reconsider and keep Oakstead at lower numbers."

Board members asked a handful of questions but remained noncommittal about how the boundaries will turn out. One thing was clear, though: They hadn't faced such a concerted push from parents before.

"Never have I seen this many parents come to a boundary meeting," said three-term board member Cathi Martin, the longest tenured member.

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