Northville Public Schools continues to experience growth, primarily in the western region of the district. This growth is positive for the Northville community, a reflection of Northville Public Schools’ outstanding educational programs, and a hopeful sign that our state’s and region’s economies are improving. At the same time, this growth has resulted in some imbalance in enrollment across schools and has stretched capacity at several of our buildings.

 Northville Public Schools Board of Education and district officials conducted an Attendance Boundary Study and decision-making process throughout this school year to consider adjustments to elementary and middle school attendance boundaries for the 2013-14 school year in order to relieve overcrowding in two of our schools.

The Attendance Boundary Study process began in Fall, 2013 and included three phases of work: (a) a demographic study and enrollment projections; (b) a facility, program and operational review of the district’s school buildings; and (c) community input forums and Board Study Sessions prior to finalizing the new Attendance Boundary Plan. The timeline for the Attendance Boundary Study and decision-making process, which included many opportunities for school family and community input and updates throughout the process, are detailed in the documents listed below.

At its April 9th meeting, the Board voted to adopt Elementary Option W-1, which reassigns a portion of the current Ridge Wood attendance area to Winchester Elementary School. A map showing the portion of the Northville Hills Subdivision that has been reassigned from Ridge Wood to Winchester is noted in the “4-9-13 BOE Attendance Boundary Decision” document. Students in the entire Northville Hills subdivision will continue to attend Meads Mill Middle School.

At the middle school level, the Board voted to adopt Middle School Option 4, which moves a portion of the current Ridge Wood/Meads Mill attendance area to a Ridge Wood/Hillside attendance area. A map showing the areas that have been reassigned from Meads Mill to Hillside is noted in the “4-9-13 BOE Attendance Boundary Decision” document.

The district’s current Open Enrollment procedure and guidelines remain in effect.  At those schools impacted by the boundary adjustment, priority for approval will be given to those students who have one year left in their current school of attendance - current 4th graders impacted by the elementary attendance boundary change as well as current 7th graders impacted by the middle school attendance boundary change. Open Enrollment information and guidelines are available on the district website at www.northville.k12.mi.us/node/585.  The deadline to submit open enrollment requests is May 3, 2013.

While adjustments in the district attendance boundaries are necessary to better balance student enrollment across our elementary and middle schools within school building capacity, we are mindful of the impact a new Attendance Boundary Plan will have on students and families who will move to a new school beginning with the 2013-14 school year. Please be assured that this transition will take place through thoughtful planning on the part of principals, teachers, staff and PTAs/PTSAs to recreate and grow the learning community at each of our schools. The letters sent out by the end of this week will include more detailed information about transition opportunities and a note of welcome from our principals.

In making this decision, the Board and district leaders acknowledge the concerns expressed by the community and offer our sincere appreciation for the level of respectful community involvement throughout the process.

Please open the attached documents for more information about the Community Forums, the Attendance Boundary study process, guiding principles that were given consideration as Attendance Boundary options were evaluated, and a complete timeline for the Attendance Boundary Study and decision-making process.  The process included includes several opportunities for school family and community input as noted.