South Kingstown Public Schools Memo

Date: 4/27/2005

TO: school committee

From: Robert Hicks

RE: redistricting

This memo and the accompanying map provide to the School Committee my recommended redistricting plan for the town’s elementary schools. This recommendation developed through a process that began immediately after your direction to create a redistricting plan, continued in two open workshops in which draft plans were presented, and culminates in this recommendation. From this point, it is for the committee to review the recommendation and adopt a final redistricting plan. It is imperative that final action be taken no later than the meeting of May 10, otherwise readiness to complete all necessary steps prior to the opening of school in September is uncertain. In addition to the redistricting recommendation, there are two implementation alternatives: one that maximizes cost savings beyond the projected amount; and one that minimizes class sizes and split classes. Both operate within the budget.

At the February 8 meeting, direction was given to redistrict the school system, as opposed to simply reassigning the students currently attending South Road Elementary. This direction was based on the need to create a stable, long-lasting school assignment plan. There was concern that a simple reassignment would accelerate the need for a redistricting, thereby creating two disruptions closely spaced; would create inequitable space availability among the elementary schools; would create an awkward transportation system; and would create a system that was, in effect, “spot-redistricted.” If we are to be a four school system, then we should create the best possible four school system.

Redistricting Timeline

Decision to Redistrict February 8, 2005

Workshop for Draft #1 April 5, 2005

Workshop for Draft #2 April 14, 2005

Recommended Plan May 4, 2005

Committee Adoption May 10, 2005

Draft Plan #1

Prior to development of draft #1, a set of redistricting priorities was presented to the School Committee. These priorities were developed from the goals from the 1996-97 redistricting and the discussion surrounding the closing of South Road Elementary School. Those priorities were:

· Keep functional neighborhoods together.

· Maintain balanced demographics in schools representative of the district.

· Create districts that will be stable over time.

· Create school populations that support stable, equitable classroom organizations and minimize the need for split classes.

· Provide for adequate program space in each building, including, for example, special areas and special education.

· Create attendance zones that facilitate transportation and are geographically comprehensible.

In addition to the above priorities, enrollment targets were proposed for each school. Those targets were set in order to balance enrollments and provide equitable and adequate space in each school. Those targets were:

Redistricting Enrollment Targets
Grade	WES	PDES	WKES	MES	TOTAL
K	39	94	39	39	211
1st	40	80	59	59	238
2nd	60	81	60	60	261
3rd	46	90	70	70	276
4th	48	88	60	60	256
5th	60	90	70	70	290
Total	293	523	358	358	1532

From these priorities and targets, draft plan #1 was created and presented to the public. That plan created the following enrollments in each elementary school. These enrollments did not include kindergarten, since those students are only now enrolling in the system.

Draft #1 Enrollments
Grade	WES	PDES	WKES	MES	Total
1st	46	88	57	58	249
2nd	45	96	53	60	254
3rd	58	102	58	61	279
4th	56	87	60	48	251
5th	72	80	67	66	285
Total	277	453	295	293	1318

To create draft #1, the following student transfers were made.

Draft #1 Transfers	Out	In
West Kingston	100	173
Peace Dale	106	129
Wakefield	61	114
Matunuck	6	90
Total	273	506

Comments received during the presentation of draft # 1 included the following:

· The term “functional neighborhood” was not helpful.

· There were too many times when streets were used as dividing lines, creating situations where neighbors go to different schools.

· Inadequate deference was given to existing boundaries, causing the transfer of too many students.

· There was concern over two split classes in Wakefield.

· Specific residential areas were commented upon.

· The decision to redistrict, versus reassignment, was commented upon.

Draft Plan #2

As a result of comment received during the presentation of the first draft, the redistricting priorities were revised to the following:

· Keep neighborhoods together

· Balance demographics

· Longevity

· Classroom organizations

· Program space

· Facilitate transportation

· Retain more of original boundaries

· Avoid using streets as boundaries

· Examine localized issues

The revised priorities were used to create draft plan #2, which was presented to the public on April 14. The presentation of draft #2 also included a review of available building lots in town and their preponderance in the West Kingston district. Draft #2 created the following enrollments and transfers:

Draft #2 Enrollments
Grade	WES	PDES	WKES	MES	Total
1st	55	75	65	54	249
2nd	48	96	56	54	254
3rd	61	98	66	54	279
4th	56	86	65	44	251
5th	74	79	71	61	285
Total	294	434	323	267	1318

Draft #2 Transfers	Out	In
West Kingstown	47	140
Peace Dale	96	122
Wakefield	44	105
Matunuck	6	59
Total	193	426

Notable changes between draft #1 and draft #2 included:

· More original district boundaries were used, transferring fewer students.

· Fewer streets were used as boundaries.

· Students were added to WKES and WES and removed from MES and PDES.

· The plan was less efficient in staff and transportation.

Comments made in the public presentation included:

· The enrollment loading of West Kingston and Wakefield was problematic and concern was expressed over adequate program space.

· Concern over the transfer and division of specific residential areas remained.