10/21/2009 - Redmond

by Matt McDonald.

For nine year old Brady Bottorff, a student at Evergreen Elementary in Redmond, next year a different school, Tom McCall Elementary.

"My friends go there and I'm going to be excited because I can see them. I might be in there classes," said Brady.

His mother isn't as excited.

""I'm just scared of them starting another school and having to fit in. Find new friends. How are they going to do? How are they going to do emotionally?" said Mary Bottorff.

Evergreen Elementary is closing. The district opening a new school at Wickiup and 27th providing them two hundred extra seats. Wednesday, the school board started the process to distribute those extra seats, trying to free up space. Especially at the three elementary school already over capacity.

"In order to equalize attendence across the district all elementary school will be impacted to some degree," said Redmond School District Operations Officer Doug Snyder.

A task force, with a representative parent from each school will start with a computer generated model, trying to determine which kids should go where. They'll get feedback in at least two or three public meetings before the final decision goes to District Superintendent Vickie Flemming.

But the new boundaries will be short lived.

"This is probably a three year boundary. With the new high school opening in 2012, the Hartman building will become available then for other uses," said Snyder.

Hartman will likely become a kindergarten through 8th grade school, leaving the district to go through the process again.

Meanwhile there's another reason Brady is looking forward to his new school.

"And I got a girlfriend that goes there," said Brady.