They may have been few in number at a parent meeting last week to discuss reconfiguration of the Midway district schools, but parents are weighing in through other means on what they would like to see happen.

Most favor option A or option C.

While there were only 30 or so parents who came out to listen to the Sampson County Board of Education discuss issues related to the reconfiguration at a May 14 public hearing at Midway High School, system officials are reporting that they have still had a healthy response from parents. Ideas have either come to school officials through comment forms or on the system’s website, where a page has been set up solely for that purpose.

Board members came to the May 14 meeting with three options in mind for the reconfiguration — Option A was to have grades K-2 go to Midway Elementary School and grades 3-5 go to the old Midway High School; that option would house no mobile units and is expected to have 208 students at the K-2 level and 233 at the 3-5 grade level — it will cost the system $679,329; Option B would move grades 5-6 to the old Midway High School and require two mobile units ; the option would house 350 students — at a cost of $913,242; Option C would move grades 7-8 to the old Midway High School and grades 5-6 to Midway Middle School. The option would require six mobile units and will house 425 students and would cost $1,118,157.

Although just one person spoke publicly at last week’s meeting, favoring option A, the majority of the parents in the audience stayed after and filled out comment forms.

“I thought it went well,” said superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker after the meeting. “I think the best thing we did was inform the parents that it was online; we have gotten lots of emails and written comments from that. It is a busy time for everyone right now. We will take all of it into consideration the same as if they were here tonight.”

According to Susan Warren, Sampson County Schools Public Relations, the system has received 15-20 e-mails. “We have a link set up on our homepage where they can see the three options and send a comment,” she said Monday. “Comment forms were also available at all five Midway schools.”

One of those e--mails swayed with Option A.

“Option A (K-2 @MES, 3-5 @ old MHS) is the best option for Midway district students,” the email stated. “It seems to be the most economical and best fit for the space. With no mobile units needed, it keeps all the children under one roof. It probably allows for a small amount of growth as well. Also, you would not have to bus students that much further, so gas for the buses would not be as high as for the other options.”

A comment that was written after Thursday’s meeting stated that Option C was the best one for the district.

“I feel that 5th and 6th grade students work better together than 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students,” the form read. “Older students do better when travel is involved than 3rd grade students. Also, with 7th and 8th grade kids at the old MHS, they can utilize all of the athletic fields, gyms, etc.”

“I think they give a good representation of both arguments,” said Warren, who noted that most Clement parents were in favor of option A, while others in the district were opting for option C.

The major concern from Clement parents is the over 20-mile distance between the schools.

“I think an hour and a half bus ride to and from school is too long,” said one parent, who did not wish to be identified for this story.

Clement principal Linda Williams also stated after Thursday’s meeting that the distance was a concern for parents at her school.

“For the most part, that is what the parents were concerned about most,” she said. “They really want the students to stay at Clement K-5 ... We love Midway and we love Plain View, I just think that the biggest thing is the amount of distance between the two schools.”

For his part, Lenker has promised that the board will consider all parental concerns before a final decision is made on the reconfiguration.

That decision is expected within the next couple of months.

To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 139 or send e-mail to sisports@myclintonnc.com.