My name is Corey Hill. I am an Overton parent of fifth- and third-grade students.

My youngest son will be entering kindergarten in fall 2020. I’m concerned with the latest proposal from the school board. The school board voted to move forward with plans to disperse Overton students and possibly close Overton permanently.

Since the announcement, I have had several conversations. I hear about the importance of keeping the Knox students and staff together because of the great things that they have accomplished. What I do not hear being recognized is the building base where those students started. I hear that Knox has grown greatly in its scores in science and math. But I do not hear about the great programs at Overton, where my kids have engaged in strong STEM programs, such as First Lego League.

Overton is the only elementary school in the county that has this program. I feel Overton has been overlooked in the line of success. I feel that the success of Knox is directly tied to the success of Overton. I personally want to thank the Overton staff for the great things they have accomplished and building the base for the students to grow in middle school.

If redistricting does occur, all the students will flow back into Knox, but the students will enter from four different elementary schools. What Knox and Overton have accomplished together will not be sustained.

I ask the board to continue growing this base by building a K-8 school and keeping the Overton and Knox family together.

— Corey Hill

Salisbury