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Students denied re-entry for 2009-2010 school year

By Christie Ileto - bio | email

LEXINGTON, AL (WAFF) - Students in one school system are being told they can't come back for the 2009-2010 school year after they were enrolled for several years prior.

For many families the notification, came right after the 2008-09 school year ended.

They were notified by a letter from the principal of Lexington School.

For other parents,  they learned Monday after receiving next school year's school supply list.

For 7-year-old twins Brodie and Briar Davis, Lexington School's playground is a place they will never play on again with their friends.

"We won't be able to see our friends for a while, the coaches, teachers," said the Davis twins.

And for 2nd grader Jasmine Anderson her feelings are summed up in 3 words.

"Real, real mad," she said with her head down.

Hand in hand Jasmine and her mother walk to the front doors of Lexington School to check next year's class list.

"See it's not here and there's all the other kids," said Jasmine's mother Brandy Willingham as they observed the postings on the doors.

Monday, the family received this note: "For the 2009-2010 school year by completion of the school choice form, your request has been denied and then it's got the principal's name."

It's a request these parents say has been granted for the past two years to attend Lexington K-12, despite living a half mile outside of the district lines.

However, for year three,  it's a different story.

WAFF 48 News went to the Lauderdale County Board of Education meeting for their side.

Superintendent Billy Valentine declined to comment, but did say he would make himself available to speak with parents individually to discuss this situation.

"It upsets me because these teachers are doing a good job with these kids and now they're going to pull them away from these teachers," said parent Jackie Davis.

Students will be pulled away from teachers, friends and a familiar environment.

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