For the past few months, the MCCSC school board has been exploring combining certain elementary schools and/or redistricting all the elementary school attendance zones.

What is the goal of the MCCSC school board proposal to combine certain elementary schools? 

The main goal of combining the elementary schools would be to improve the balance of socioeconomic status (SES) in the schools, which is defined as the number of students who qualify for free and reduced lunch based on income eligibility guidelines. 

How would it work?

Two strategies are being considered and reviewed:

-Strategy #1: Over a three-year transition, the board wishes to combine Templeton Elementary and Childs Elementary. The plan would be to have PK-2nd grade at Childs and grades 3-6 at Templeton. In the first year, PK-K would be moved to Childs, and 3-4 to Templeton. In the second year, 1st grade would move to Childs and 5th to Templeton. In the third and final year of the transition, 2nd grade would be moved to Childs and 6th grade to Templeton. 

-Strategy #2: Similar to the plan for Childs and Templeton, there was briefly a plan to combine University Elementary and Fairview Elementary.  Also, the Board approved a transition of the ALPS program from University to Fairview. This transition has already started taking place as for the current 2023-2024 school year, an ALPS classroom was added to Fairview for grades three and four, while the 4th grade ALPS classroom was dropped at University. The University-Fairview combination appears to be out of consideration for now. 

Why not just redraw elementary district lines instead?

A few months ago, this option was not discussed. However, at the Feb. 27 MCCSC board meeting, the board adopted a resolution to examine redistricting. The act of redrawing district lines requires a more in-depth analysis and must follow the federal and state guidelines and must consider any inequity including race discrimination and special education needs. 

What is the timeline for this?

At the Feb. 27 board meeting, the board voted in favor of a resolution that calls for a plan on this by June, 2024. The board also vowed to make changes to the elementary school boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year. 

The next regular board meeting of the MCCSC Trustees is March 26 at the Co-Lab building.