JASA SANTOS Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Saturday, July 11, 2009 12:00 am
Neighborhood schools and enrollment preferences are back on the agenda for discussion at a Natrona County school board retreat scheduled for this fall.
Chairman Steve Degenfelder said the board probably won't rehash the issue of schools of choice, but will focus on the possibility of a neighborhood enrollment preference.
"Something like 98 percent of kids are going to the school of their choice," Degenfelder said. "If we can tweak it a little bit, maybe with a neighborhood preference…I think we should at least have some discussion on that."
Currently, enrollment preferences are given to incoming kindergartners with a sibling at the school of choice, and to teachers with children. Proximity to the school of choice is not considered.
"When I talk to people, about 95 percent really favor neighborhood schools," said trustee Rita Walsh, who has been advocating for the board to look at enrollment preferences. "I would like to see proximity to the school as one of those priorities."
Walsh said that she thinks schools with distinctly different curriculums, such as Woods or Fort Caspar Academy, should be considered separately in the proximity discussion.
"Those are things I would like to talk about," she said.
Degenfelder also noted that the board's consensus to continue with the district's space/grade configuration will cause issues for some parents. Enrollment for K-5 schools is capped at 420 students, 6-8 at 700 students and 9-12 at 1,200 students.
Degenfelder used Dean Morgan Junior High as an example of change-the school enrolls more than 900 students. Parents will eventually be told the school is at capacity and students will have to go elsewhere, he said.
"That day will come," Degenfelder said.
Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at jasa.santos@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/JasaSantos/blog.