Good afternoon West Shore students, families, and staff,

 

After much planning and design work, construction began earlier this school year for two new intermediate schools. Tentatively, our plan is to welcome fifth and sixth grade students into these new buildings for the 2024-2025 school year.

 

The new grade level configuration requires intentional planning, including a close look at how the removal of fifth grade from the elementary level will allow us to maximize use of our schools and best meet the needs of our current and future families.

 

The addition of the new schools, Fairview Intermediate and Old Trail Intermediate, along with the closure of Fairview Elementary, will also allow us to begin the process of adjusting attendance boundaries so that all schools will follow the feeder school concept, which was adopted following our district-wide feasibility study. The good news for our families is that once the updated boundaries are finalized, all elementary, intermediate, and middle schools will have attendance boundaries that align with one of the two high schools. This was something we heard that was universally important to our students, staff, and families and we look forward to seeing put in place.

 

Due to current and projected future enrollment related to residential development and the shift of fifth grade students to the new intermediate schools, elementary attendance boundary changes are required and may impact the elementary school your child attends. Our goal is to finalize the proposed boundary changes prior to the start of the 2023-2024 school year to take effect in August 2024. As that date approaches, families who will be impacted will receive additional details regarding options available to them to make the transition easier.

 

In the coming months, we will also be releasing a proposed middle school attendance plan which will align the attendance boundaries for Allen, New Cumberland, and Crossroads with the high school boundaries. There are no proposed changes to the existing high school boundaries. 

 

In addition to sharing some background with you, the purpose of my message today was to make you aware of an informational presentation being made to the Board this week. It is important to note that the Board will not be taking any official action on the elementary attendance boundary changes at this time. The presentation is being shared as informational only to gather feedback and continue discussion.

 

You are welcome to join us in person or online to hear Mr. Sanders, Director of Operations & Planning, review the proposed elementary attendance boundary plan which includes maps and specific street locations. His presentation will also be available for review on the agenda and posted on the District website's Feasibility & Facilities page following the Board meeting.

 

Thursday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Center

Board Meeting Livestream - Board meetings are streamed live and archived for viewing after the meeting

Board Agendas - published at 6:30 p.m. tonight 

 

Following the presentation this evening, comments may be emailed to [email protected]. We look forward to your feedback as we continue the planning of our future!

 

Sincerely,

 

Todd B. Stoltz, Ed.D.
Superintendent

#WestShoreProud