Peabody mayor asks to explore redistricting

By Stacie N. Galang
Staff writer

July 24, 2008 05:39 am

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PEABODY — Mayor Michael Bonfanti wants a nine-member committee to look into redistricting and consolidating schools as a way to address the declining student population and rising education costs.

"I think what we have to do is plan," the mayor told the School Committee on Tuesday night.

Bonfanti, the School Committee chairman, said the panel would be composed of committee members, parents, administrators and the transportation director. He also proposed having a School Committee member serve as the panel's chairman.

The mayor said the city would be facing "tough times" and needs to plan for them.

"Shame on us if we're not prepared," he said.

Bonfanti said yesterday he spoke with Superintendent C. Milton Burnett about the committee.

He wanted the group formed by the School Committee's next meeting although he understood summertime sign-ups might be difficult. He had one volunteer as of yesterday.

"I'm not trying to panic anybody," he said. "I'm just trying to plan."

Peabody schools last redistricted in fall 2004 under a plan created two years earlier.