PELHAM – The Pelham Board of Education approved the 2018-2019 Zoning Map for the school system at a meeting on Monday, Feb. 26. The zoning map includes changes for the district’s two elementary schools.

PCS Superintendent Scott Coefield said zoning changes were necessary as enrollment in Pelham schools continues to grow. As of right now, Pelham Ridge, which can hold up to 900 students, is nearing capacity with 891 students.

At Pelham Oaks, the addition of three new classrooms and a new gymnasium will increase capacity. The project, which is expected to be completed prior to the start of the 2018-19 school year, will increase the school’s capacity to 700 students. The school’s current enrollment is 614.

According to the zoning changes, students in the following areas will transition from Pelham Ridge to Pelham Oaks:

Chance Lane
Shelby County 35
Shelby County 361
Eagle Cove
Hunters Glen
Mallard Pointe
Silverleaf

The plan does include a provision that allows currently enrolled Pelham Ridge students and siblings to continue to go to the school if their parents can provide transportation to and from school each day. This provision will not apply to incoming students.

Coefield denied requests to consider providing free early bird services for parents who choose to self-transport their children to Pelham Ridge instead of attending Pelham Oaks. He said allowing some to receive the service for free would be unfair to parents who pay for the service.

The zoning changes were approved with the exception of the Brookshire subdivision. The neighborhood was zoned for Pelham Ridge, but after community feedback Coefield said he is considering making a recommendation to the BOE to zone the neighborhood for Pelham Oaks.

The Brookshire subdivision sits off of Shelby County 35, which is now zoned for Pelham Oaks. Coefield said Brookshire will not be addressed until the board’s next meeting on March 19.

Parents will be notified if their child is impacted by the zoning change.