Evening the learning field

RATHDRUM - The Lakeland Joint School District is starting to discuss possible school zone boundary changes in its quest to have a similar distribution of enrollment in its six elementary schools.

Assistant Superintendent Lisa Sexton will speak during tonight's school board meeting at Twin Lakes Elementary at 6 about a committee of school staff and parents charged with developing boundary change proposals.

"This is important because we believe that every child should have equitable access to learning opportunities," Sexton said. "At this point, we do not know what the final outcome will be with regard to boundary changes, but we do know that the growth in our district continues to be within the Betty Kiefer attendance zone."

Betty Kiefer is the district's largest elementary school with 465 students. Twin Lakes Elementary is the smallest at 277.

The other four elementary schools are similar sized, with Athol at 331 students, Garwood 331, John Brown 323 and Spirit Lake 280.

"In a perfect world, all of our elementary schools would serve the same number of students, but that is not a realistic expectation," Sexton said. "However, if we could get all of our schools around the 300 to 350 mark, we would be happy."

Superintendent Brad Murray said tonight will be the initial discussion of the school boundary situation and that no proposals are on the table.

"Our overall goal is to have an equal distribution of enrollment among our six elementary schools as well as planning for any future growth," he said. "In our district, with neighborhood schools, it is extremely important fiscally, that our K-6 enrollments are somewhat similar across the district."

Sexton said a specific number of committee meetings has not been identified.

"They will be held in the evening and the number will be dependent upon completion of our assigned task," she said. "We hope to bring a recommendation to the board by the May board meeting so that we can notify any parents whose students will be impacted by a change in boundaries."

Sexton said Darrell Rickard, the district's transportation director, has been asked to identify the number of students in different parts of the Betty Kiefer attendance boundaries so that the district can be assured that any proposed change does not create a new problem elsewhere.

"At this point, we are not leaning toward any one solution and want the input of parents as we make these decisions," Sexton said.

The last time the district altered its school zone boundaries was in spring 2007 in anticipation of opening Twin Lakes Elementary in fall 2007.

"The parents and patrons in Lakeland have always embraced the concept of several small community schools rather than a few large schools," Sexton said. "They understand that this is not the most cost-effective way to operate, but they believe that it is what is best for our students. We are lucky to serve a community that has been incredibly supportive of our schools and the quality education we provide."

Sexton called discussing boundary changes a "challenging endeavor."

"One of the things we know about this kind of potential change is that kids are resilient," she said. "They will make new friends and fit in at their new school with relative ease. The change is more difficult and emotional for our parents, which is why their input is critical to this process."