Roswell parents hit the streets to protest school redistricting.
ROSWELL, Ga. -- The mayor of Roswell has joined in the battle over school redistricting as the Fulton County School Board studies the latest redistricting maps.
To Mayor Jere Wood and many others in Roswell, it's not just about shuffling hundreds of students. It's about protecting a community.
"It is tearing at the fabric of the community," said homeowner Mike Nyden. "This will have repercussions that will be felt for years."
Nyden, the mayor, and other concerned parents are voicing their concerns at a Tuesday night school board meeting.
The current redistricting plan would move over 2,000 North Fulton High School students. The majority would shift from Alpharetta and Milton High Schools to a new school yet to open.
The changes would take effect in August of 2012.
Nearly 500 students would move from the Roswell High School district, shifting them across the city's borders to Milton High.
Debbie Moore's children would be part of the shuffle. She moved to Roswell so her kids could go to schools within the city.
"If we have to go to Milton, that would have a significant impact to me and my kid to the point I would move a quarter mile to stay in the Roswell High district," said Moore.
Fulton School spokesperson Susan Hale says the district has to look beyond city limits to ease overcrowding at four schools, including Roswell High.
"There's no intent to rip any community apart," said Hale. "If anything it helps grow new communities helps form new relationships. Having an overcrowded school is not what a community wants."
Roswell Mayor Jere Wood says the district doesn't realize the value of attending school within your hometown.
"They're breaking the connection between the community and the school," said Wood. "That's a bond of loyalty. That's school pride."
Current students at the Roswell, Milton, and Alpharetta schools can opt to remain at their schools if they provide their own transportation. Future students won't have that option.
The redistricting map has been altered several times since the debate began earlier this year. The district says it's possible it could change again before the board votes next month.