Proposed start times, boundaries worry parents

Queen Creek parent Rick Jones worries about how a proposed boundary change will emotionally affect his fourth-grade son.

Parent Karla Chapman is concerned about the proposed start time changes for next school year.

And parent Tere Rope said she’s not thrilled that if the boundaries change for Jack Barnes Elementary School, the parent-teacher organization will lose many of its active volunteers.

The three parents were among about 25 who came to the school Thursday night to hear about proposed boundary changes and school start times for next school year in the Queen Creek Unified School District.

The public meeting is the first of three for district staff to talk with parents about the proposed changes.

Boundaries need to be set for the district’s second middle school, Newell Barney.

The school is expected to open this fall on the northeast corner of Sossaman and Riggs roads with sixth- and seventh-graders only.

The changes are also aimed at preparing the district for future elementary school students to feed into its two middle schools.

The two elementary schools affected are Queen Creek and Jack Barnes. About 145 K-5 students living primarily in the Orchard Ranch development east of Ellsworth Road and south of the Queen Creek Wash could be moving to Queen Creek Elementary next year from Jack Barnes.

If the proposal goes through, Jones’ son would leave the school he’s attended since second grade and move to Queen Creek Elementary.

“It is the right move to make for the district, I’m just concerned with how it affects the kids,” said Jones, who has two kids in the district. “My son is emotionally attached to the school.”

Queen Creek Elementary School principal Sheri Horton invited parents and students that might be affected by the move to visit her school.

Readjusting the boundaries would mean students in this high-growth area wouldn’t have to move from schools more than once, said Edd Hennerley, the district’s director of transportation.

“The district feels we’re on the right track,” Hennerley said. “We realize it’s not ideal but it’s the best solution to maintain those numbers (of students at the schools).”

The district is also proposing changing school start times for the next school year.

Elementary schools next year would start 25 minutes earlier, at 8:25 a.m.; middle schools an hour later at 8:50 a.m.; and high school classes 10 minutes earlier at 7:40 a.m.

Chapman’s biggest concern is the changing start times. She has a child each at Jack Barnes and Queen Creek Middle School.

“I think it’s too late for middle school students to get out,” Chapman said. “I think the older kids should get home before their younger siblings.”

By having middle school students start an hour later, Queen Creek’s middle school end times would be aligned with nearby districts for after-school competitions.

Also, elementary school principals have wanted to start earlier for many years, said Superintendent James Murlless.

Jones told district staff Thursday night that many parents “truly believe” the decisions have already been made.

Hennerley stressed that “not one decision has been made” and welcomed parents to attend either of the next two meetings, or call him at (480) 987-5982.

Queen Creek Elementary will host the second meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the school, 23636 S. 204th St.

Queen Creek Middle School will host the third meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at the school, located at 20435 S. Ellsworth Road.