Parkway To Talk Boundary Changes Starting Monday

After years of increasing enrollment and overcrowding in schools in its northern attendance area, the has developed a plan to shift school boundary lines. The plan will be the subject of a series of meetings with parents, starting Monday night at Craig School. The plan will affect students at Craig, McKelvey, River Bend and Ross Elementary Schools, and eventually, and .

While boundary changes are difficult for families, Nicole Evans, principal at Craig Elementary is keeping her focus on what it will mean for students. “We must keep kids in the forefront of our decisions,” Evans said. “Smaller class sizes and adequate space are positive factors in a good education.” Enrollment at Craig Elementary is over by 540 students, up from 490 in 2010-11. McKelvey Elemenatry had 552 students in the 2010-11 school year.

Educational space is a concern at some of Parkway’s elementary schools. “We have educators working with students in every nook and cranny of our building,” Evans said. “Our strings students practice in the cafeteria and the gifted students need a larger room.” Evans said moving some students to schools with smaller enrollment will allow all schools to enhance their existing academics and provide proper space for music, gifted and early intervention curriculum at her school. 

“The district has been working for more than six months on making the boundary changes a smooth and successful transition,” said Cathy Kelly, communications coordinator for Parkway. In May, parents in the north and central attendance areas were surveyed and asked to prioritize factors being considered to reduce overcrowding in the district. Improved learn opportunities, student safety, and the concept of neighborhood schools were some of the factors parents considered.

Dave Kellen, PTO president at Craig Elementary, has been a Craig parent since 1998.  His youngest child, Katie, is currently a second-grader.  “Class size has increased in the past few years,” Kellen said. “And it seems that enrollment has accelerated more recently.” Even with a large student population, Kellen is happy his daughter is at Craig. “There have been space challenges at the school but it hasn’t affected the quality of education,” he said. “I’m impressed with the way the district and staff has coped with the overcrowding.” 

Three possible boundary plans were created for review by the district’s task force, the superintendent’s action team, and representatives from schools in the north and central attendance areas.  In selecting a plan for recommendation, officials considered improving learning opportunities for all students, using resources effectively and reducing overcrowding while supporting the idea of neighborhood schools. Parent survey results were another factor in the decision-making process.

Parkway has scheduled four public meetings to present the new boundary plan. The first meeting will be held at Craig Elementary on Sept. 26, 7 – 8:30 p.m. Meetings will also be held at McKelvey Elementary on Sept. 27, Ross Elementary on October 4, and River Bend Elementary on October 11. All meeting will begin at 7 p.m.  District staff and principals from the affected north and central area schools will attend the informational meetings. 

“After we present the boundary proposal to the community, the district will assess any concerns that arise at the meetings,” said Kelly.  “If there are any serious, glaring problems, they will be address.  And then the proposal will be presented to the Board.” A final decision on the proposal is expected by the end of 2011.

A website has already been established to answer questions: http://www.parkwayschools.net/boundaries/

Boundary Proposal Outlined:

Moving from Ross Elementary to River Bend Elementary:

 • Old Farm Estates (and the adjacent homes on the northwest side of Amiot)

• Woodland Pointe

Moving from McKelvey Elementary to River Bend Elementary:

 • Pheasant Run Apartment Complex

• Royal Pines Condominiums

Moving from Craig Elementary to Ross Elementary:

 • Driftwood Place

• Pavilion (only the area west of Bennington)

• West Pointe (only the area west of Bennington)