OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — These changes could dramatically affect the populations of Burke, Omaha South and Northwest. The biggest point of contention came tonight with those in the western part of the school district.
OPS students in west Omaha are going to be sliced between three high schools once the newest one opens at 156th and Ida in 2022, that's for certain.
But at least one school board member is concerned with the third party recommendations that were released officially to the board Monday.
"I'm quite concerned at what happens at Burke,” says Lou Ann Goding.
Lou Ann Goding thinks the current plan will flood the new high school and diminish the population at Burke High.
"For me it's about the shifting dynamic about what happens and making sure that we open this new high school with the opportunity for other kids to be able to attend."
Goding wants a switch, moving Prairie Wind Elementary School from the new school to Burke High and move Picotte Elementary School to the new school.
There was a large group of parents that agreed. Saying the driving distance from the Picotte area to Burke is too far.
"I'm afraid you will see a lot OPS parents in that area leaving the district,” says one concerned parent.
School board member Tracy Casady agreed with the recommendations, but said it was one of the toughest things she had to do on the board.
"We can't make everybody happy. This is a tough decision, it's a tough process. Some of those families are also going to have to make tough decision whether they want to stay in the district,” says Casady.
