This appeal was brought by the Lancaster Parent Alliance on Behalf of Elementary School Children in the Eastern and Southern Sections of Lancaster, a group which the petition asserts consists of 40 to 50 parents from the southern and eastern portions of the Town of Lancaster. However, there is no indication that this association is incorporated. Therefore, the appeal must be dismissed for lack of standing. Even if the appeal were not dismissed on procedural grounds, it would fail on the merits. I find that petitioners have failed to meet that burden of proof.
Petitioners agree that redistricting is necessary, but disagree with respondent's plan for doing so.
Petitioners raise numerous issues regarding projected population growth and the long-term effectiveness of Option 1 in addressing the enrollment problem, as well as issues such as the educational impact on the affected students and the lack of input from district residents when formulating the plans. The record indicates, however, that respondent attempted to address these issues. Dr. Girardi and his staff developed criteria for developing the redistricting plan that included maintaining neighborhood schools to the greatest extent possible, minimizing disruption, reducing class sizes district-wide, providing for two special education classrooms in each elementary school building and adopting a plan that would be effective for at least five years. After identifying a number of options, only the two that satisfied these criteria were presented to respondent. In response to the concerns of district residents, respondent authorized the formation of a committee, which included district residents and, as a result, modified Option 1.