0:28The superintendent of the Osseo Area School District introduced the meeting by underscoring the critical nature of the attendance boundary changes. With a district that spans eight communities and serves around 21,000 students, addressing enrollment imbalances is a significant undertaking. The changes, primarily affecting elementary and middle schools, aim to maintain neighborhood integrity while also considering transportation and building efficiency. The changes are forecasted to be effective starting in 2026, with Crestview Elementary transitioning a year earlier in 2025.

Community engagement played a role in developing the proposed scenarios. Approximately 3,000 community members initially contributed input, which guided the creation of four proposed scenarios. These were further refined following feedback from nearly 3,500 community members. The district plans to finalize the new attendance boundaries by May 2026, highlighting the collaborative approach in its decision-making process.

The district’s Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee has been closely monitoring shifts in enrollment and capacity for several years. The committee reported a significant enrollment imbalance within the district, which necessitated the current reevaluation of boundaries. The proposed changes are part of a broader plan, which includes a new elementary school set to open in 2026, as outlined in a 2023 building referendum.

15:38During the meeting, transportation service areas were also discussed, emphasizing safety standards and efficiency. The district aims to maintain walk zones of 0.8 miles for elementary schools and one mile for secondary schools, in alignment with state laws and school board policies. Two updated scenarios—designated as 1A and 2A—were presented, focusing on minimizing disruptions to families and maintaining neighborhood school boundaries. Scenario 1A, which impacts approximately 2,600 students, aims to improve building efficiency and streamline feeder structures. Scenario 2A affects around 2,000 students and seeks to utilize natural barriers like roadways and parks to retain neighborhood integrity.

The district assured families that those who have applied for in-district transfers or are open enrollment families would not need to reapply to maintain their current status. However, students attending their home school would be required to attend the school assigned to them through the boundary changes. Due to logistical challenges, the district cannot provide transportation for these students.

The meeting also addressed common concerns from families regarding the impact of boundary changes. An interactive map on the district’s website allows families to input their addresses to identify specific impacts on their school assignments. This tool is intended to help families understand how the proposed changes will affect them personally. Presenters reiterated that families who have taken action to select different schools for their children would have the right to maintain that choice.

Various avenues for providing feedback were outlined, including small group discussions and the use of QR codes for submitting thoughts via Google forms. The core planning team committed to reviewing all feedback received.

0:28The district encouraged attendees to stay informed through its website and other communication channels, inviting them to reach out with questions or concerns. This open line of communication aims to ensure that community members remain engaged and informed as the boundary change process continues.