Superintendent Proposes Redistricting Map

Superintendent William McAlduff presented his recommendation for redistricting that would have four major areas of students changing districts to ease increasing enrollment in Winchester.

“Since the last elementary school was constructed seven years ago, enrollment has lead to capacity strain at every school,” McAlduff said. “With each elementary school at or over capacity, redistricting has to be done.”

Part one of the solution began in 2008 with the reconstruction of and  elementary schools which have two module classrooms each. Twelve classrooms will be added by 2013 when the  is finished. Two classrooms will be added to the , McAlduff said.

“However, construction, reclaim and relocation are not enough to fix the problem," the superintendent continued. "If there were no redistricting, project enrollment would be far too high. Redistricting must be the last action taken."

The Winchester Redistricting Advisory Committee focused on equitable distribution of schools, providing specialist space, development of plan that adapts to future projections. McAlduff explained this group met regularly, analyzed census data, went over 30 different models, held two public meetings and gathered online feedback.

The map put forth by the superintendent is but a reviewed and revised plan built from feedback from the community. 

“Four major areas have students moving from one district to the other," McAlduff said. "These provide enrollment equity, disruption equity 90 students impacted, program equity, resource equity, neighborhood stability, budget stability, sustainability."

What do you think about the proposed redistricting maps? Let us know in the comments.

The attached image shows the superintendent's recommendations. The map will also be posted on the redistricting website.

"I want to stress that fifth graders in the 2013 class will be grandfathered into their original schools in 2013,” McAlduff said.

The next school committee meeting will be June 4; this meeting will be open to public commenting and opinion. The plan will be voted on June 7 and implemented in September 2013.