(JUNEAU) - Rep. Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage) spent the weekend returning phone calls from parents who are concerned about the Anchorage School District's proposed high school boundary changes as a result of the construction of the new South Anchorage High School.

The proposed boundary changes would substantially impact the existing boundaries for Dimond and Service High Schools. McGuire, a 1989 graduate of Dimond High School has her own concerns about the new boundaries.

"More reasonable options should be available," McGuire said. "The idea that students who have been attending their respective schools and live within walking distance will now be forced to endure a 45 minute commute seems absurd."

Last week, Rep. McGuire had a lengthy phone conversation with Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau and Executive Director of High School Education Mike Henry. McGuire strongly encouraged the district to extend the period for public comment so that more area parents will have the opportunity to comment.

Today, Sen. Ben Stevens (R-Anchorage) and Rep. Ralph Samuels (R-Anchorage) will join Rep. McGuire in a meeting with Superintendent Comeau.

"It is my intention to make it absolutely clear to the Superintendent that the current situation is unacceptable and at the very least the public deserves more time to comment on these changes," McGuire said. "Ideally, I would like to see a new boundary plan that includes residents from the Bayshore neighborhood in the Dimond school boundary. This issue is about more than just convenience, it's about community identity and the relationship between parents and students and their local high school."

# # #