District to Begin Review of School Boundaries

August 30, 2004 - Board members at the June 9 meeting established a timeline and determined recommendations to begin a process to review school boundaries. The parameters will guide the Comprehensive Boundary Review Committee in reviewing and recommending adjustments to current school boundaries.

Board members agreed that any decisions to change school boundaries must be driven by the needs of students. Other parameters included:

• Provide balanced and equitable schools.
• Maintain integrity of instructional programs.
• Maintain, to the greatest degree possible, the concept of neighborhood schools.
• Maintain, to the greatest extent possible, a feeder school system.

Other areas of consideration include enrollment trends, demographic factors, cost effectiveness and transportation. Results from the recent facilities focus group meetings also will be used.

Louis Pappas, executive director for secondary education will chair the boundary review committee. Members of the committee will include principals, district staff, and community members.

The committee will begin work in the fall. Staff and community discussion meetings are planned. Preliminary recommendations will be presented to board members in the winter. Implementation of a board-approved boundary modification plan should begin in the fall of 2005.