Olentangy Berlin High School causes school district lines to blur because multiple Olentangy families are not willing to leave their “home” schools.

At every Attendance Boundaries Committee (ABC) meeting, members from all around the district express their opinions on the new school sanctions for high schoolers.

“I’m worried about my daughter turning onto State Route 23 and OH-315 each day. Her going to Olentangy instead of Olentangy Liberty would not be a good decision because the drive isn’t as safe, ” ABC committee member Stacy Haney said.

As much as Haney wants her daughter to stay at Olentangy Liberty for safety reasons, families are more worried about having children at different schools.

“My daughter is in the class of 2019, and my son is in the class of 2020, so for the 2018-19 school year they will be at two different schools because of new district lines. We did not plan for this,” Olentangy mom Michelle Colatruglio said.

However, if a student’s residence is in a sanction they do not want to be part of, they can apply for an interdistrict transfer to the school of their choice.

“A guardian may request their child attend a school different than the one assigned. If accepted, the interdistrict transfer is good for one year for kindergarten through eighth grade, and all four years in high school. However, the guardian must provide their own transportation to and from school if their student cannot drive,” OLSD Director of Communications Krista Davis said during one of the boundary meetings.

Parents neglect their childrens’ opinions on being redistricted to a new school.

“I know my mom wants me to stay at Olentangy, but I’d be fine moving to Olentangy Orange or Olentangy Berlin if I have to,” Katherine M. ‘20 said.

Other students aren’t affected by the switch at all.

“I’m not switching high schools by the time I’m a junior, so I haven’t been worried about the redistricting situation,” Caroline R. ‘20.

The final decision for high school district lines was announced Tuesday by Superintendent Mark Raiff. For more information, go to the Attendance Boundaries Committee page on the Olentangy Local School District website.