JCPS assignment notifications confuse some elementary parents

This from Toni Konz at C-J:

Jefferson County Public Schools is being criticized by some parents who say they are confused and frustrated over they way the district is notifying them where their children can attend elementary school this fall.

District officials said they have sent out 626 letters notifying parents that their children have been granted at spot this fall at the popular magnet schools — Brandeis Elementary, the Brown School, Greathouse-Shryock, Audubon, Carter and Schaffner. Another 1,300 children were put on a waiting list.

All six magnets, except Brown, told parents they have until Friday to accept their spot.But assignment notifications for the district's neighborhood, or cluster, schools won't be mailed until April 28, when more than 12,000 children will be given their assignment for the fall.Some parents like Tamara Owens who have applied for both a magnet and neighborhood school say the separate notifications cause needless anxiety, especially given parents' angst over the new student-assignment plan.

“I want to know what all of my options are before I have to make a decision,” said Owens, who applied for a magnet school and an elementary nearest to her home, her preferred choice...