A small group of PCSD stakeholders visited several schools that use the proposed grade configuration (K-2, 3-5).  The site visit included discussions with building leadership and teachers and classroom walkthroughs.  We were able to get a picture of the structure of the building, the school priorities, benefits and drawbacks of the grade band configuration, as well as ask questions about the implementation and challenges of the change the schools and districts faced.  Overwhelmingly, these visits provided the District with positive feedback regarding the proposed grade configurations.

One reason for the potential reconfiguration is to better accommodate for Poughkeepsie's shifting and growing population in particular areas around the city which may overcrowd some schools.  The PCSD team worked in collaboration with governmental bodies to identify incoming housing developments that may impact current zoning lines, and discussed the potential for changing attendance zones in order to better balance the attendance at each building.  These conversations and partnerships are ongoing as the District persues this project and decides on potential new attendance zones for the reconfiguration.

The District partnered with Franklin-Essex-Hamilton BOCES to conduct a demographic study and worked closely with them to draw attendance zones that balance each building's population while providing room for population and programmatic growth.