A work conflict prevented me from attending last night's board meeting but, as expected, the board unanimously approved the boundary plan submitted by the committee.
This is great news and allows the schools to get on with preparing for next year, completing communication to individual students and ensuring the transfer process is geared up.
My personal thanks to the committee as well as all the parents that participated in the process, I think it is a great example of what a great district we have and how well the board and administration are in sync.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 1, 2008
Final Proposal Enrollment vs Capacity
Jane Siguenza with HSD did a great job compiling the enrollment data along with projections from the PSU studies and posted it up on the district website:
Capacity vs Enrollment
This is exactly what I had in mind - I did something similar for Brown feeders with previous plans so I know that this was time consuming to put together. I really appreciate the effort Ms. Siguenza put into the format and the work Ms. Biden did scrubbing all of the final numbers. Ultimately this is a great way to see how well the committee balanced enrollment.
The only caveat for the Indian Hills numbers is that I do not believe it represents the kids we know will come from the Copperleaf subdivision so it looks lower than it will be by approximately 26 kids. Of course, all of this is trying to predict the future and there will be natural variation in those numbers that can't be predicted. I will give the numbers a closer look this weekend.
Capacity vs Enrollment
This is exactly what I had in mind - I did something similar for Brown feeders with previous plans so I know that this was time consuming to put together. I really appreciate the effort Ms. Siguenza put into the format and the work Ms. Biden did scrubbing all of the final numbers. Ultimately this is a great way to see how well the committee balanced enrollment.
The only caveat for the Indian Hills numbers is that I do not believe it represents the kids we know will come from the Copperleaf subdivision so it looks lower than it will be by approximately 26 kids. Of course, all of this is trying to predict the future and there will be natural variation in those numbers that can't be predicted. I will give the numbers a closer look this weekend.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Board Meeting Status
The board reviewed the updated boundaries and transfer process. A few members of the public commented regarding Jackson changes, from Fishback and Edgefield neighborhoods.
During public comment I was able to ask about the 59 homes added to the SE corner of the boundary. According to current district records there are 13 kids in that area, 7 less than my lowest estimate. The committee discussed this change over email and the change was approved.
This means the total add of grades 1-6 will be approx. 55 kids - assuming kinders are represented by 15% of that number (our current ratio) that puts our total at approx. 65 kids added, about 2.5 classes. Adding in an additional class from the Copperleaf subdivision over the next 1.5 years we should end up with 3.5 classes added. As time goes by, given that the area will be completely built out, we should eventually see a gradual reduction in enrollment per the PSU study and I think that was a factor for the committee as they discussed the same consideration for Imlay.
I also asked about getting school capacity numbers against enrollment for the plan and Mr. Pérez committed to get that to me - he explained that a previous request to get the info to me had fallen through the cracks. Given the schedule the committee is keeping, I'm not surprised and I appreciate that he took the time to explain what happened.
I would be surprised if this boundary proposal fails to pass at the next meeting but I strongly encourage anyone concerned about the impact to Indian Hills or any other area in the district to get their feedback to the board. They will be receiving updated public input on a weekly basis until the 30 day review is completed.
During public comment I was able to ask about the 59 homes added to the SE corner of the boundary. According to current district records there are 13 kids in that area, 7 less than my lowest estimate. The committee discussed this change over email and the change was approved.
This means the total add of grades 1-6 will be approx. 55 kids - assuming kinders are represented by 15% of that number (our current ratio) that puts our total at approx. 65 kids added, about 2.5 classes. Adding in an additional class from the Copperleaf subdivision over the next 1.5 years we should end up with 3.5 classes added. As time goes by, given that the area will be completely built out, we should eventually see a gradual reduction in enrollment per the PSU study and I think that was a factor for the committee as they discussed the same consideration for Imlay.
I also asked about getting school capacity numbers against enrollment for the plan and Mr. Pérez committed to get that to me - he explained that a previous request to get the info to me had fallen through the cracks. Given the schedule the committee is keeping, I'm not surprised and I appreciate that he took the time to explain what happened.
I would be surprised if this boundary proposal fails to pass at the next meeting but I strongly encourage anyone concerned about the impact to Indian Hills or any other area in the district to get their feedback to the board. They will be receiving updated public input on a weekly basis until the 30 day review is completed.
Late Addition to Indian Hills Boundary
Final boundary recommendation was posted on the HSD website (link).
Based on some requests from a family in the Reedville boundary to keep them with their neighborhood the boundary has been extended down to below SW Trelane from Johnson. This adds 59 houses into the Indian Hills boundary from what was presented in Plan 6 and approved in the working meeting last week.
Since this change was not discussed fully in the working meeting I have no idea how many kids this adds to the total for Indian Hills. When the initial request was reviewed in the meeting (and, it appeared, rejected) the initial response was that it was 60-some kids but that doesn't make sense when looking at the number of homes.
Still waiting for the district to publish capacity and projected attendance for the new boundaries after asking in 2 meetings. I'm not sure how we can give meaningful input to the board without having a way to measure equity, a key goal of the committee.
I will post an updated map soon.
Based on some requests from a family in the Reedville boundary to keep them with their neighborhood the boundary has been extended down to below SW Trelane from Johnson. This adds 59 houses into the Indian Hills boundary from what was presented in Plan 6 and approved in the working meeting last week.
Since this change was not discussed fully in the working meeting I have no idea how many kids this adds to the total for Indian Hills. When the initial request was reviewed in the meeting (and, it appeared, rejected) the initial response was that it was 60-some kids but that doesn't make sense when looking at the number of homes.
Still waiting for the district to publish capacity and projected attendance for the new boundaries after asking in 2 meetings. I'm not sure how we can give meaningful input to the board without having a way to measure equity, a key goal of the committee.
I will post an updated map soon.
Monday, January 14, 2008
Last Session: Working Meeting #7
The committee reviewed Jackson boundaries and determined that the Edgefield, Fishback and other homes off Evergreen would move to Patterson as shown in plans prior to Plan 6.
The committee also reviewed boundaries for ES27, considering taking students from Butternut Creek and Witch Hazel rather than from Ladd Acres which would mean the 'portable' neighborhood west of Brown would once again move from Ladd Acres into Indian Hills
vs
Plan 6 draft which pulled from Ladd Acres but this time intending it as a long term change of those areas to the Hilhi feeder rather than the temporary move suggested in the board working session.
After some review the committee determined that it made sense to pull from Ladd Acres similar to what was shown in the draft boundary for ES27 (slightly reduced, area in the NE corner of proposed ES27 boundary left in Ladd) and would make that recommendation to the board as a long term change, not a temporary one.
The biggest concern was that without pulling from Ladd to ES27, it would mean changes from plan 6 that impacted 5 schools, re-touching on many areas already discussed by the committee with the community, just prior to going to the board. The concern with pulling from Ladd Acres into Hilhi was that the area in question represents students that currently walk to Century.
They also considered changes for Minter Bridge, still under discussion as I write.
Update: Minor adjustments to Patterson/Lincoln/McKinney that I didn't really follow because I was writing the above.
Another update: Transfer process discussed will be a generous process, allowing 6th graders to complete ES experience with transfer request. MS transfers considered with emphasis on aligning with feeder group (ie, bias to not transfer). HS transfers with emphasis on approving transfers for those who have started at a given school. No transportation for transfers, if there is a stop for the school nearby they will consider the request if space is available on the bus and it is safe for the student to walk to an existing pickup area.
Just One More Update - Communication Plan: Pending board approval, the district will notify parents of children being moved. Campus principals will be given copies of maps and the district will continue with media communications, press releases as well as posting on the web. Hispanic outreach is planned for the latino community on the web plus other methods (in process). Realtor community will be informed. Transition activities will be communicated once established, welcoming and closing ceremonies at schools with PTA/PTO involvement.
Specific changes to each school will be made available for communication at each school. During summer the communication will be personalized indicating specific changes for the student, a personal contact with each family or general notice affirming they will stay or change. Board is concerned that it be a personal attempt to notify families of changes. Concerned about confusion from split timeline that will need worked through in notification process.
District will make a special effort to communicate to Ladd Acres families impacted at the '11th hour', they don't want a group of parents to not know about such a major change. The committee will talk to Ladd Acres principal to ensure good communication, especially since those going to ES27 from Ladd Acres are changing HS feeders.
The committee also reviewed boundaries for ES27, considering taking students from Butternut Creek and Witch Hazel rather than from Ladd Acres which would mean the 'portable' neighborhood west of Brown would once again move from Ladd Acres into Indian Hills
vs
Plan 6 draft which pulled from Ladd Acres but this time intending it as a long term change of those areas to the Hilhi feeder rather than the temporary move suggested in the board working session.
After some review the committee determined that it made sense to pull from Ladd Acres similar to what was shown in the draft boundary for ES27 (slightly reduced, area in the NE corner of proposed ES27 boundary left in Ladd) and would make that recommendation to the board as a long term change, not a temporary one.
The biggest concern was that without pulling from Ladd to ES27, it would mean changes from plan 6 that impacted 5 schools, re-touching on many areas already discussed by the committee with the community, just prior to going to the board. The concern with pulling from Ladd Acres into Hilhi was that the area in question represents students that currently walk to Century.
They also considered changes for Minter Bridge, still under discussion as I write.
Update: Minor adjustments to Patterson/Lincoln/McKinney that I didn't really follow because I was writing the above.
Another update: Transfer process discussed will be a generous process, allowing 6th graders to complete ES experience with transfer request. MS transfers considered with emphasis on aligning with feeder group (ie, bias to not transfer). HS transfers with emphasis on approving transfers for those who have started at a given school. No transportation for transfers, if there is a stop for the school nearby they will consider the request if space is available on the bus and it is safe for the student to walk to an existing pickup area.
Just One More Update - Communication Plan: Pending board approval, the district will notify parents of children being moved. Campus principals will be given copies of maps and the district will continue with media communications, press releases as well as posting on the web. Hispanic outreach is planned for the latino community on the web plus other methods (in process). Realtor community will be informed. Transition activities will be communicated once established, welcoming and closing ceremonies at schools with PTA/PTO involvement.
Specific changes to each school will be made available for communication at each school. During summer the communication will be personalized indicating specific changes for the student, a personal contact with each family or general notice affirming they will stay or change. Board is concerned that it be a personal attempt to notify families of changes. Concerned about confusion from split timeline that will need worked through in notification process.
District will make a special effort to communicate to Ladd Acres families impacted at the '11th hour', they don't want a group of parents to not know about such a major change. The committee will talk to Ladd Acres principal to ensure good communication, especially since those going to ES27 from Ladd Acres are changing HS feeders.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Straight Talk Summary of Board Work Session
Straight Talk - School Board Boundary Work Session
Board member John Peterson has put up a post at Hugh's Straight Talk blog about the meeting Tuesday night.
It is a must read for anyone that wants insight into the discussions around two critical decisions I have only briefly mentioned here, the policy for student transfers and the critical decision to reduce Jackson enrollment.
As John mentions, the transparency and health of the process are noteworthy and the district, board and parents are to be commended.
Board member John Peterson has put up a post at Hugh's Straight Talk blog about the meeting Tuesday night.
It is a must read for anyone that wants insight into the discussions around two critical decisions I have only briefly mentioned here, the policy for student transfers and the critical decision to reduce Jackson enrollment.
As John mentions, the transparency and health of the process are noteworthy and the district, board and parents are to be commended.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Board Progress Review Minutes
Interesting meeting, first time I have seen the board in action, lots of viewpoints articulated and back and forth discussion. There was much concern about the transfer process but I wanted to focus on the main boundary issue here tonight, 2 main topics: Jackson and #27 boundary.
The board continually came back to the main goals of the boundary process: align feeders, balance enrollment.
The first issue was reducing enrollment at Jackson which received so much attention earlier in the process. The board made it clear that the committee should make a recommendation and address the issue of overcrowding at Jackson now. One board member pointed out that, in all likelihood, some of the same parents complaining about leaving Jackson were complaining about overcrowding at the school in the recent past. If Jackson isn't fixed now, it will just delay the necessary. Direction: Reduce Jackson enrollment.
The second issue was with proposed boundaries for school #27. The main concern expressed by board members was that the plan was to temporarily move Ladd Acres kids into #27 then, eventually, move them back. This would result in kids moving from Century feeder (Ladd Acres) to Hilhi feeder (#27) then back to Century. This was understandably a sticking point as it would create another 'portable' community. One board member clearly stated that she had a problem with the temporary move, but had no problem with kids from north of TV hwy staying at #27, it was the flip-flopping that disturbed committee members. They recognized that overcrowding at Ladd Acres needs addressed.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Mr. Pérez summarized the concerns as "Pull #27 students from Hilhi feeder, fix Ladd Acres by moving students within Century feeder". I hope I misunderstood his summary. It could have just as easily been summarized as "Pull #27 students from Ladd Acres permanently, send them to Hilhi feeder". There was a suggestion that there was some room in Tobias despite the reality that there are plans for 198 homes inside the Tobias boundary based on current permits from 2007, land is being cleared for the 2 largest developments right now. There is a 75 home development actively building inside Indian Hills boundary right now.
With the direction as summarized by Mr. Pérez, if I understood his statement correctly, the schools inside the Brown/Century feeder are going to be asked to shift students around without getting any relief from the new school.
Are the needs of imaginary students that will eventually occupy #27 in S. Hillsboro taking priority over the needs of real students north of TV highway currently stuffed into Reedville, Ladd Acres and Imlay and, soon to be stuffed in Tobias and Indian Hills?
I hope not.
If #27 is expected to quickly fill in from S. Hillsboro, I would like to see data showing when those 600 kids will materialize - how was the model created and is it realistic? It is a grand vision that is a long way from producing actual results, especially given the current economic trends.
I imagine a future blog post, a few years from now, simply a picture of school #27 sitting all alone, surrounded by empty fields, with a few Head Start buses in the parking lot, otherwise empty.
The board continually came back to the main goals of the boundary process: align feeders, balance enrollment.
The first issue was reducing enrollment at Jackson which received so much attention earlier in the process. The board made it clear that the committee should make a recommendation and address the issue of overcrowding at Jackson now. One board member pointed out that, in all likelihood, some of the same parents complaining about leaving Jackson were complaining about overcrowding at the school in the recent past. If Jackson isn't fixed now, it will just delay the necessary. Direction: Reduce Jackson enrollment.
The second issue was with proposed boundaries for school #27. The main concern expressed by board members was that the plan was to temporarily move Ladd Acres kids into #27 then, eventually, move them back. This would result in kids moving from Century feeder (Ladd Acres) to Hilhi feeder (#27) then back to Century. This was understandably a sticking point as it would create another 'portable' community. One board member clearly stated that she had a problem with the temporary move, but had no problem with kids from north of TV hwy staying at #27, it was the flip-flopping that disturbed committee members. They recognized that overcrowding at Ladd Acres needs addressed.
Unfortunately, it seemed that Mr. Pérez summarized the concerns as "Pull #27 students from Hilhi feeder, fix Ladd Acres by moving students within Century feeder". I hope I misunderstood his summary. It could have just as easily been summarized as "Pull #27 students from Ladd Acres permanently, send them to Hilhi feeder". There was a suggestion that there was some room in Tobias despite the reality that there are plans for 198 homes inside the Tobias boundary based on current permits from 2007, land is being cleared for the 2 largest developments right now. There is a 75 home development actively building inside Indian Hills boundary right now.
With the direction as summarized by Mr. Pérez, if I understood his statement correctly, the schools inside the Brown/Century feeder are going to be asked to shift students around without getting any relief from the new school.
Are the needs of imaginary students that will eventually occupy #27 in S. Hillsboro taking priority over the needs of real students north of TV highway currently stuffed into Reedville, Ladd Acres and Imlay and, soon to be stuffed in Tobias and Indian Hills?
I hope not.
If #27 is expected to quickly fill in from S. Hillsboro, I would like to see data showing when those 600 kids will materialize - how was the model created and is it realistic? It is a grand vision that is a long way from producing actual results, especially given the current economic trends.
I imagine a future blog post, a few years from now, simply a picture of school #27 sitting all alone, surrounded by empty fields, with a few Head Start buses in the parking lot, otherwise empty.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Meeting: Board Progress Review
Boundary Committee Board Work Session
January 8, 2008
(Tuesday, 6:00– 8:00 p.m.)
Board Room
Hillsboro School Administration Center (map)
3083 NE 49th Place
Hillsboro, OR 97124-6009
Phone: 503-844-1500
There will be NO PUBLIC COMMENT at this meeting, it will be the committee answering Board member questions and reviewing current status and open issues. This is a progress report, not the final version for review. When the final version is submitted, there will be time for public comment to the board.
January 8, 2008
(Tuesday, 6:00– 8:00 p.m.)
Board Room
Hillsboro School Administration Center (map)
3083 NE 49th Place
Hillsboro, OR 97124-6009
Phone: 503-844-1500
There will be NO PUBLIC COMMENT at this meeting, it will be the committee answering Board member questions and reviewing current status and open issues. This is a progress report, not the final version for review. When the final version is submitted, there will be time for public comment to the board.
ES #27 Draft Boundary
Click to zoom...boundary for new school shown in orange stripe. This was drawn on my own map from the overhead, this is by no means official, even as a draft.
New area will be taken from west side of Ladd Acres at Imlay Ave south of Golden over to west of Brookwood into Witch Hazel, reach down south of TV to Alexandar then connect with the S. Hillsboro area around the new school. In addition they will take the small section directly east of Frances Street Park from Imlay to Ladd Acres.
New area will be taken from west side of Ladd Acres at Imlay Ave south of Golden over to west of Brookwood into Witch Hazel, reach down south of TV to Alexandar then connect with the S. Hillsboro area around the new school. In addition they will take the small section directly east of Frances Street Park from Imlay to Ladd Acres.
Transfer Process - Liberal but within the rules
The committee talked briefly about transfers and the process to ensure it is equitable. It was noted that transfers will have to arrange transport outside of the school bus system.
Transfers for elementary and middle schools will be limited by capacity of the target school. Given enough space at the target school, the plan is to be liberal in order to give kids continuity. They emphasized that it is important that the school not ask a student to change schools while, right next to him, there is an existing student that is a transfer from a year ago that doesn't move. So all transfers must be re-reviewed.
For High Schoolers it was agreed that they can be grandfathered into the school once they have started at the school by submitting a transfer request. It is much easier for HS to absorb additional kids and they have strong attachments around sports and other activities.
Of course, if a student knows they will be transferring later, they can apply for early transfer.
Transfers for elementary and middle schools will be limited by capacity of the target school. Given enough space at the target school, the plan is to be liberal in order to give kids continuity. They emphasized that it is important that the school not ask a student to change schools while, right next to him, there is an existing student that is a transfer from a year ago that doesn't move. So all transfers must be re-reviewed.
For High Schoolers it was agreed that they can be grandfathered into the school once they have started at the school by submitting a transfer request. It is much easier for HS to absorb additional kids and they have strong attachments around sports and other activities.
Of course, if a student knows they will be transferring later, they can apply for early transfer.
Work Session #6
Blogging from the meeting room with my new Cingular wireless connection...
Most of the effort in this meeting centered around looking at boundaries for the new ES#27 to be constructed on 229th south of TV highway - this is very relevant to the schools north of the highway since S. Hillsboro will take years to build in.
The draft boundary would take a chunk of Ladd Acres west of Imlay Street combined with a section of Witch Hazel north of TV highway and combine with the rural areas south of the new school.
This change will likely be presented to the board tomorrow as Plan 6 modified.
IHBN thought: It doesn't make sense to look at boundaries without a plan to fill the newest elementary school in the area - this is an important fact that the committee has recognized. No one can predict how quickly S. Hillsboro will develop and the relief is desperately needed at Ladd Acres and Imlay. The issues this will create will need to be confronted.
Most of the effort in this meeting centered around looking at boundaries for the new ES#27 to be constructed on 229th south of TV highway - this is very relevant to the schools north of the highway since S. Hillsboro will take years to build in.
The draft boundary would take a chunk of Ladd Acres west of Imlay Street combined with a section of Witch Hazel north of TV highway and combine with the rural areas south of the new school.
This change will likely be presented to the board tomorrow as Plan 6 modified.
IHBN thought: It doesn't make sense to look at boundaries without a plan to fill the newest elementary school in the area - this is an important fact that the committee has recognized. No one can predict how quickly S. Hillsboro will develop and the relief is desperately needed at Ladd Acres and Imlay. The issues this will create will need to be confronted.
Plan 6 Maps Posted
The District website has updated individual maps as well as a Plan 6 'narrative' which describes areas for each school gained and lost and includes the source or destination school.
No surprises for Indian Hills or Ladd Acres from what we have heard previously at the last community event.
Boundary Committee Website
Files are posted at the top of the page and marked as pdfs.
No surprises for Indian Hills or Ladd Acres from what we have heard previously at the last community event.
Boundary Committee Website
Files are posted at the top of the page and marked as pdfs.
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