Winchester Superintendent Discusses School Choice Option

By December 22, Lynch parents will need to submit their decision

Lynch parents

The MCAS results were released earlier this fall and identified the Lynch School for

Since is a Title I school and a school that needs improvement,

Lynch parents have the option to transfer their children to Lincoln, Vinson-Owen or Muraco, Superintendent William McAlduff told parents at Wednesday night’s school choice informational session. Ambrose is not an option since that's also in accountability status.

According to McAlduff, parents who apply for school choice will receive their assignments by Jan. 4. And by Jan. 9, students who opted for school choice must report to their new school.

McAlduff said that school choice is only available for this year and students must change schools on Jan. 9. However, if Lynch is in accountability status again next year then the school choice option will be available again.

By law, low-income students get first preference, McAlduff said. After that, class guidelines will govern assignments. Students will first be assigned to classes that have less than 20 students, so some parents may not get their first option. Once all selected classes have 20 students, then the school district will go above 20 students in a class.

Mcalduff said that students would be assigned by their top choice, if it’s available. However, if multiple students in the same grade want the same school, but there’s not enough room, the school district will make the decision by picking a name out of a hat.

“Depending on the number of requests we get, it could get complicated,” McAlduff said. “We believe this is a fair and impartial process. We’re going to make every effort to assign students to their first choice.”

If a student switches schools, McAlduff said that they could stay in their new school until middle school. If a family moves or if Lynch comes out of accountability status students can stay in their new school. The school district is also required to provide transportation for students who live more than two miles away from the school.

But Mcalduff said that siblings who opt to change schools might not end up at the same school.

“The law doesn’t require districts to keep siblings together,” McAlduff said. “We’re going to follow our class size guidelines. We’re not going to keep kids together because they’re siblings.”

While McAlduff admitted that if a number of parents decide to have their children leave Lynch, the district may need to hire additional staff at the other schools, but he hopes the majority of students remain at Lynch.

“In the end, you as parents have to make the decision,” McAlduff said. “I think we have a very good plan in place, and Lynch is a very good school. I hope not a lot of parents choose this option.”