Board Rejects Free Land Plan For Wakefield

The parents of children at Wakefield Elementary and a developer tried to promote their plan to provide free land to the school system.

"I would prefer the free location that is offered," parent Tom Lehr told the school board. "It is closer for 100 percent of the students involved."

School officials say that the free land is not feasible because it would cost about $600,000 to make it ready for modular schools that will temporarily be used for students. The school system says the free land is too narrow, uneven and surrounded by power lines.

The school board voted to approve land near the Dubois Center, which parents complain is too far from their neighborhoods to send students.

"I hope that we are able to come up with an alternative location. If we're not, I think there are folks who will not send their children to that location," said Carol Parker, the school board member who represents Wakefield.

Nearly 150 students will move to a temporary school.

There will be more meetings in March for parents to speak out about the school reassignment plans.