Enrollment Management Advisory Group

December 11, 2024

School Boundaries Rezoning Review and Recommendations

@MSDWT Washington Township Schools

Objectives

1. Outline past work
2. Review future timeline
3. Review rezoning scenario & impact
4. Discuss communication and engagement plan
5. Q&A

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Where have we been?

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1. Created Guiding Principles
2. Conducted and reviewed potential transportation non-eligibility zones or safe walk zones
3. Analyzed and eliminated second tier 6:15 PM late busses at North Central to support field trips
4. Reviewed academic programming (High ability self-contained, Special Education, Dual Language Immersion Program) and discussed plans for future strategic planning
5. Introduced rezoning scenarios for consideration and direction for 25-26 SY

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Revisit our Why?

• What problems are we trying to solve with this rezoning analysis?

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• Imbalance enrollment in our middle schools and a desire for those neighborhoods to return to Northview from Eastwood MS.
• Expansion of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programming into Westlane as a direct feeder from Willow Lake
• Demographers did not predict this unbalanced increase in enrollment
• At capacity at Clearwater and Willow Lake, near capacity at Allisonville, while Nora, Spring Mill, Greenbriar are significantly below capacity
• Create space at Willow Lake to allow for more DLI programming
• Maintain or improve current routing efficiencies given complexities with bus driver shortages (reduce complexities in special routing/eliminate island zones)

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Where are we going next?

1. Present a draft 2025-2026 rezoning recommendation as an information item during school board meetings in October and November
2. Survey stakeholders impacted in reviewing the draft recommendation
3. Present final recommendation for Board action on December 11
4. Begin communications, education, and marketing plan for proposed changes for 25-26 SY in January continued through second semester
5. Plan for intentional outreach with those impacted to assist with as smooth a transition as possible
6. Begin routing changes and transportation adjustments based on recommendation for 25-26 SY in February
7. Implement changes over summer in preparation for return to school in July

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Rezoning Scenario Goals

Scenario Impact - All 3 Middle Schools and 2 Elementary Schools

Goals outlined in the Rezoning Scenario

1. Eastwood Zone surrounding new Northview campus to be rezoned to Northview
2. Create direct feeder from Willow Lake Elementary to Westlane Middle School
1. Supports consistent transition for Dual Language Instruction (DLI) program students progressing from elementary to middle school
3. Improve enrollment balance between middle school campuses
4. Improve enrollment balance between elementary school campuses for Greenbriar and Willow Lake
5. Eliminate as many "island" zones as we can still taking into account socio-economic status implications which was the reason for the shift back in 2018-2019

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Visuals of Scenario Recommendation

Current Middle School Boundaries

Proposed Middle School Boundaries

Specific MS Neighborhoods Impacted

• From EW to NV - 91st to 96 - Meridian to College
• From EW to NV - Nora Pines, The Hub, College & Carlysle Court, Villages of Longwood
• (90 Students)

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• From NV to EW - Ravenswood (N of 71st)
• From NV to EW - W of Keystone (71st to 62nd St.)
• (52 students)

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• From NV to WL - Private Reserves Apts.
• From NV to WL - 79th to 75th Ditch to Harcourt
• From NV to WL - Harcourt and Marquis Lane
• (84 students)

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Visuals of Scenario Recommendation

Current Elementary School Boundaries

Proposed Elementary School Boundaries

Specific ES Neighborhoods Impacted

• From WE to GB - 79th - 72nd St from Meridian to Hoover
• From WE to GB - 86th st to 75th st from Monon Trail -Meridian
• From WE to GB - Lions Head and Meridian Lakes Apts
• From WE to GB - 79th to 73rd Hoover to Ditch
• From WE to GB - Countrybrook North & Hampton Apts

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104 total WLE students impacted, but 54 of these students are in the current DLI Program. Transportation will be provided for them so they can continue the program so long as they live within these GB areas. Long -term there would be no special transportation accommodation provided for DLI IDLC students.

Recommended Scenario Summary and Impact

Total Students for 25-26 SY - 277

Eastwood: 90 students to NV

Northview: 136 students (52 to EW, 84 to WL)

Willow Lake: 51 students (104 total)

DLI Impact: 53 students rezoned to GB, bus can still be provided

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School Capacity for 25-26 SY-

Greenbriar: +8.9% (570)

Willow Lake: - 12% (660)

Eastwood: - 3.9% (754)

Northview: - 8.6% (910)

Westlane: +8.2% (845)

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Transportation for 25-26 SY- -1

Reduction of 1 bus to all middle school routes

Reduction of 0 buses to elementary school routes/DLI

• Least impact to the overall District as less than 3% of total enrollment is impacted
• DLI students rezoned to GB could continue at WE with transportation to the program
• Addresses the majority of our Why principles
• Will be supported by those close to NVMS who want to return to NVMS from Nora/EW
• Current NVMS students/families having to go to EWMS/WLMS could be upset
• Does not address overcrowding at CW

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“Grandfathering” Impact current 7th grade and 4th grade students

Total Students for 25-26 SY - 277

Eastwood: 90 students to NV

Northview: 136 students (52 to EW, 84 to WL)

Willow Lake: 51 students (104 total)

DLI Impact: 53 students rezoned to GB, bus can still be provided

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School Capacity for 25-26 SY-

Greenbriar: 571

Willow Lake: 660

Eastwood: 754

Northview: 910

Westlane: 845

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Transportation for 25-26 SY- -1

Reduction of 1 bus to all middle school routes

Reduction of 0 buses to elementary school routes/DLI

Total Students for 25-26 SY - 186

Eastwood: 68 students to NV

Northview: 90 students (37 to EW, 53 to WL)

Willow Lake: 23 students (81 total)

DLI Impact: 53 students rezoned to GB, bus can still be provided

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School Capacity for 25-26 SY-

Greenbriar: 547

Willow Lake: 683

Eastwood: 776

Northview: 956

Westlane: 814

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Does the scenario address our Why’s?

1. Imbalance at NVMS and a desire for those neighborhoods to return to NV from EW

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• Expansion of DLI programming into Westlane as a direct feeder from Willow Lake

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• Capacity challenges at Clearwater, Allisonville, and Willow Lake ES while Nora, Spring Mill, Greenbriar are significantly below capacity

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• Create space at Willow Lake to allow for more DLI programming

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• Maintain or improve current routing efficiencies given complexities with bus driver shortages (reducing special routing and eliminating island zones)

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• - partial for Willow Lake

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• -1

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Frequently Asked Questions -

• Which schools are impacted by this proposal?
• 5 total schools (Eastwood MS, Westlane MS, Northview MS, Willow Lake ES, Greenbriar ES)
• 277 total students or <3% of our total enrollment

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• Why are we having to do this when we just did it back in 2018-2019 and you built two new schools? We have experienced unexpected enrollment increases in multiple schools. A recent demographic study predicted our enrollment would be on a decline for the next several years; however, the past two years we have grown by over 700 students.

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• Is the enrollment increase only due to an increase in non-resident enrollment? No, the past two years we have experienced unprecedented enrollment increases not predicted in our most recent demographic study. We have experienced enrollment increases at all levels.

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• What if my child wants to stay at his school for his final year of 5th grade at Willow Lake or 8th grade at Eastwood or Northview MS? Based on feedback and further review with our Transpar Partners, families who are able to provide their own transportation may apply for In District Limited Choice to stay at their current school. These interested families should visit our enrollment website to learn more details about this process.

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Frequently Asked Questions -

• Will there be any “grandfathering”? We cannot accommodate the volume of potential students who desire to stay in their current school due to current enrollment capacity challenges. The exception is Dual Language Immersion students who are reassigned to Greenbriar as that program cannot be replicated in other buildings at this time. Families may apply for IDLC in January. Preferential review will be given to IDLC applications of rising 5th grade or 8th grade students who are able to provide their own transportation to stay at their current school. See our enrollment website for further details about that process.

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• What about capacity challenges at Clearwater and Allisonville? We will limit choice to schools including In District Limited-Choice (IDLC) and Nonresident Families (NR) who apply at schools who are at capacity. These schools currently are Willow Lake ES, Clearwater ES, and Northview MS. Current IDLC and NR Families will be able to continue in their current school as long as they are in good standing and with an approved renewal application for current NR Families.Again, families may apply for IDLC in January. Preferential review will be given to IDLC applications of rising 5th grade or 8th grade students who are able to provide their own transportation to stay at their current school. See our enrollment website for further details about that process.

• When would this change take place? At the beginning of next school year 2025-2026

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• Would I have a chance to visit the school I am being reassigned to? Yes, there would be specific communications to families of students impacted, invitations to our usual spring school events, as well as an additional welcome/informational meeting for those families impacted.

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• Will we provide transportation moving forward for all In-District Families who want to enroll in the Dual Language Immersion Program? No, all future IDLC Families have to provide their own transportation to and from school.

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Frequently Asked Questions -

• What is the timeline for applying for In District Limited-Choice or Nonresident?
• These applications are available starting in January. Preferential review will be given to IDLC applications of rising 5th grade or 8th grade students who are able to provide their own transportation to stay at their current school. See our enrollment website for further details about that process.�
• Any other necessary information regarding timelines and process post Board approval?
• Communication to families with students impacted by rezoning will be completed prior to January 1, 2025.
• Space is limited at Willow Lake ES, Clearwater ES, Allisonville ES, and Northview MS for new In District Limited Choice and new Nonresident applications

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Trends in Survey Feedback

254 responses; majority from Willow Lake ES, Eastwood MS and Northview MS Families

Concerns from Willow Lake ES:

• splintering of neighborhoods rezoned to Greenbriar
• incoming siblings and Dual Language Immersion (DLI) at Willow Lake ES
• DLI articulation into Westlane and those who live in Northview boundaries
• Losing supportive and active PTO parents at WLE
• “Grandfathering” or exemption for incoming 5th Grade
• Equitable supports in schools
• Overcrowding now at Greenbriar

Concerns from MS:

• “Grandfathering” or exemption for incoming 8th grade students
• Increase in nonresident students and how this is impacting this recommendation

Rezoning Impact on Enrollment Logistics for Families for 25-26 SY

• Communication to families with students impacted by rezoning will be completed prior to January 1, 2025.
• Parents/Caregivers will have a form to complete that addresses the logistics outlined in the table above if they desire to request a different school than their newly assigned school.
• Space is limited at Willow Lake ES, Clearwater ES, Allisonville ES, and Northview MS for new In District Limited Choice and new Nonresident applications.

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Questions?

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Enrollment Management - MSD Washington Township

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Enrollment Rezoning Proposal Specific Neighborhood Impact Analysis for 2025-2026 SY.pptx

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