With two new schools coming online next year, most parents knew that new attendance lines would have to be drawn.

But, under one proposal being considered by the Coweta County Board of Education, the new lines could hit home to most parents in the district.

At last week's Board of Education workshop at East Coweta High School, school system attorney Joe McNabb explained that two schools, Atkinson Elementary and Ruth Hill Elementary, have been identified as "racially identifiable" schools.

McNabb said the school have higher than government standards for minority students. Because of the high numbers, the school system could be facing a federal lawsuit unless the lines were adjusted. The attorney suggested the system may want to consider redrawing the lines for all elementary and middle schools to try and pre-empt a lawsuit.

Superintendent Blake Bass said it would be a "monumental task" if the system decided to pursue that option.

"We're talking 17 schools. Last time we did this, we had two representatives from each school. That would mean we would have 34 people on this committee," he said.

But some board members had a problem with redistricting much of the system, instead of just doing it for the new elementary and middle school.

"I don't think people in this county want to bus for racial balance," said board member Mike Sumner.

Board member Smith Pass agreed. "I don't want to be the person to tell a third-generation Ruth Hill student that they have to go somewhere else," she said.

School officials said they would look at various options and present them at next Tuesday's Board of Education meeting.