Student Assignment Committee Selects Tentative Assignment Zone Model, Seeks Public Comment
September 2, 2010 - At the August 31 meeting, the Student Assignment Committee selected the High School Attendance Zone Model as a basis for developing a new community-based school assignment plan and directed staff to bring additional information on it at the next meeting. During the discussion of possible assignment zone models, Committee Chair John Tedesco commented that the selection of a the model based on high school attendance areas is intended to provide a starting point for review, analysis and public comment.
Of the four sample zone maps presented to the committee in July, the chosen model divides high school attendance areas into 16 different zones and groups those zones into five regions: Central, East, North, South and West. Committee members stated that the regional boundary lines are likely to be refined as they receive additional information and begin to work through the details of the plan.
Tedesco further stressed four key points:
- This is early in the process and the lines dividing zones are very "fluid" and will be changed based on feedback and discussion.
- The geographic elements of the plan (zones and regions) are but one piece of a comprehensive plan.
- Remaining pieces to be discussed will be academic excellence and accountability, calendar choice and program equity by zone, magnet seating, reduction of minority isolation, transportation services, cost analysis, school funding, and selection process (proximity, capacity, stability, expanded grandfathering, and siblings)
- This is a process. Over the next 6-9 months the plan will evolve with community feedback and district analysis. During the process the online comment section will be updated for continuous public input. The process will also include 7-9 community engagement meetings to be held for additional input throughout the winter and spring, then additional re-adjusting of the plan based on input, then presentation to the full board for approval in 2011. The plan will begin with a multi-year transition plan starting in school year 2012-2013.
Tedesco highlighted several goals for the committee with Community Assignment Zones:
ZONES
- Provide a stable K-12 feeder pattern in each community zone
- Provide elementary calendar choice in each community zone
REGIONS
- Provide middle school calendar choice for each region
- Provide high school equity and program choice for each region
COUNTY
- Maintain a strong Countywide Application Magnet Program in any zone that has a potential for minority isolation to encourage voluntary desegregation. Any such zone should provide for choice in and out with transportation considerations.
- Better manage capacity and transportation
- Provide families with a stable, predictable, and fair assignment model that is efficient with limited tax-resources
- Hold all schools accountable for academic excellence for every child.
The community can view the current Sample of a Regional Map based on high school zones here.
The next student assignment committee meeting is September 28.
"Thank you for your input during this process. Please continue to be a part of the process as we work together as a community to build our plan for our schools," said Tedesco, addressing the public at large.
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