Central to the meeting was a detailed presentation of four scenarios for the new attendance boundaries. These scenarios aim to mitigate enrollment disparities and manage capacity effectively across the district, which serves approximately 21,000 students over 31 schools. The proposed adjustments, which have not been undertaken on such a scale for over 15 years, are geared towards minimizing disruptions while addressing the growth in student numbers, particularly in the northwest part of the district.

Scenario one was highlighted for its potential to reduce the number of elementary schools that split students into various middle schools. Currently, seven out of seventeen elementary schools divide their student bodies this way. Under this scenario, only one elementary school would continue to split, impacting approximately 3,000 students. This scenario aims to improve feeder patterns and building use efficiency, utilizing natural barriers like roadways to maintain neighborhood integrity. Cedar Island Elementary was noted for its proximity to its proposed boundary.

Scenario two, affecting about 2,100 students, proposed minimal changes while still adhering to critical parameters. It shared structural similarities with scenario one but offered fewer adjustments, maintaining efficiencies in building use and transport.

Scenario three, which would influence around 3,700 students, preserved some advantages of the previous scenarios but introduced complexities. This scenario proposed splitting two elementary schools, Edinbrook and Palmer Lake, across multiple middle schools, raising potential capacity challenges at the middle school level.

Scenario four was the least disruptive, affecting about 1,800 students. While it paralleled scenario two in retaining elementary school boundaries, it struggled to enhance feeder structures effectively, resulting in three elementary schools being split between different middle schools. The identified schools were Edenbrook, Parkbrook, and Fair Oaks, with middle school configurations resembling those in scenario two.

A critical element of the discussions was the impact on families, with a new boundary website being introduced to help residents ascertain how the changes would affect them. Current students slated to transition schools under the new boundaries would not be allowed to remain at their present institutions, except for families with prior transfers or open enrollments who could opt to stay at their current schools under a “hold harmless” provision.

The board also addressed the policy on in-district transfers, stating that these would not be available during the transition years. Information about busing and transportation logistics is to be released in August 2026, in line with the proposed boundary implementation.

Feedback from the community was a part of the meeting, with attendees encouraged to voice their opinions through small group discussions or a Google form available on the district website. The board plans to release further proposed scenarios in March, allowing for additional community input. Emphasizing the value of community engagement, the board encouraged residents to ask questions, stating, “there’s no such thing as a silly question.”

The superintendent reiterated the importance of community input in the decision-making process, noting the generally positive feedback regarding the district’s educational quality, as reflected in recent surveys.