Executive Summary Narrative

This document contains the administrations’ Boundary Change Options for MMSD Elementary Schools, 2005-2006 to address overcrowding, declining enrollments (excess capacity) and projected space needs for the next three to five years. The data used for this work is based on where students lived on the 3^rd Friday in September, 2004; it is not based on where a child is attending school this year, although the majority of students attend school in the attendance area where they live.

The information regarding potential boundary changes in the MMSD elementary schools is presented in three independent modules that address three distinct and separate geographic areas of the MMSD. Each module is self contained and is not affected by the changes in any other modules. The purpose and issues being addressed by the module are on the tabbed module divider. The following information is presented for each option within each module:

• a data sheet showing the demographics of the schools affected in the module both now and after the proposed boundary changes
• an annotated map of the schools affected by the option and their proposed boundary changes
• a short narrative describing how the option addresses the BOE Considerations when Redrawing Boundary Lines
• a description of each option’s impact on
1. Elementary Schools
2. Middle Schools
3. High schools
4. Budget
5. Transportation
6. Future Developments
7. Other

The modules and accompanying options presented within each module represent a variety of approaches to address the purposes and issues identified. In all of the options, data and subsequent impact statements illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Clearly, some options would present new issues that could create even more problems. However, we felt it was important to present as many options as feasible for consideration at this time and to illustrate the impacts these changes would create.

The Appendices include:

• Feedback Sheets for each Module
• MMSD new Developments/Neighborhood Map
• Enrollment Projections and Maximum Physical Plant Capacity by Attendance Area – Elementary
• Middle and High School Physical Plant Capacities with Current and Projected enrollments
• Cost Savings Impact data
• Glossary of Terms
• Chart of Attendance Area Assignments

The Considerations when Redrawing Boundary Lines, which were approved by the Board of Education on June 21, 2004, that are addressed in each option are:

1. Every attempt will be made to keep bus routes no more than 45 minutes in duration one way.
2. When redrawing boundary lines, current attendance area islands and optional areas will be reduced wherever possible and new ones will not be created.
3. No student will be required to change schools, as a result of boundary line changes, more than once during his/her elementary years.
4. Grandfathering 4^th- and 5^th-grade students will be considered when boundary lines are redrawn, and every effort will be made to allow 5^th graders to remain at their school.
5. School size of two sections per grade level to a maximum of 650 students.
6. Every attempt will be made to avoid creating schools with high concentrations of low-income families.
7. Efforts will be made to keep geographically and historically defined neighborhoods together and to consider the proximity of students to a school when redrawing boundary lines.