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Feb. 17 Latest Update
Immersion program to remain at Westwood for 2012-13, expanded preK-12 facilities utilization study to begin
All existing district space, as well as potential lease space, will be reviewed over the next several months Full Story
About the Study
The district is seeking a programming and boundary plan that utilizes school district facilities effectively and efficiently; addresses growth and placement of choice options, including the Spanish Immersion Program (currently housed at Westwood Intermediate School); and effectively manages current and future enrollment trends.
Desired Results
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Address growth and placement of choice options (Spanish Immersion, Lighthouse, others)
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Utilize space and staffing effectively
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Reasonable bus or drive times between home and school
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Effectively manage current and future enrollment trends
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Impact as few students as possible
History of the study
The K-3 Programming and Boundary Study began in the fall of 2010, Phase I of the year-and-a-half process.
The district conduced an internal analysis of space available at the Westwood complex for the 2011-12 school year.
As a result of this initial phase of the study, no recommendations for programming or boundary changes for 2011-12 resulted, but the need to refine boundaries in the near future became evident.
The School Board accepted a first draft of a Guiding Change document, Winter 2010-11, to guide the next steps of the decision-making process.
In Phase II, the district continued to collect, review, and update data related to elementary programming options, as well as optimal school and facility usage.
The district utilized the expertise of the former state demographer and analyzed data related to births, housing, and future enrollment trends in the cities of Blaine, Spring Lake Park, and Fridley.
Beginning in Summer 2011, a Design Team, comprised of school principals, administrators, and transportation officials, utilized this data to identify dozens of potential boundary and programming scnarios throughout the fall.
Febuary 28
Recommendation to School Board on K-3 attendance boundaries
February 14
Recommenadtion to School Board for Spanish Immersion Program
Febuary 1
Present possible options for next year at information meeting for families of current Spanish Immersion Progrm students, 6-7 pm, Westwood Intermediate
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Current Updates |
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Next Steps |
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A forthcoming recommendation in Febuary 2012 could be from among the following:
--Full implementation of boundary changes for Fall 2012
--Boundary decision made but with changes to be phased in over a few years
--Delay decision and continue the study until Fall 2012/Winter 2013, with resulting changes to take effect for the 2013-2014 school year
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What’s next?
Two decisions will be made in the coming weeks:
Identify Spanish Immersion program option(s)
--Present possible options to Spanish Immersion parents on February 1, 6-7 pm, Westwood Intermediate
--Recommendation to School Board at February 14 meeting
K-3 attendance boundaries
--Recommendation to School Board at the February 28 work session |
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