District Right-Sizing
Overview
In 2018, the Wilson School District began the process of conducting a District-Wide Feasibility Study. The purpose of the study was to provide us with a comprehensive report to use as a valuable resource for long-term decision making about the District’s educational facilities. The report provided enrollment projections as well as important information related to the current condition of our school buildings and outdoor athletic facilities.
The demographic portion shows that we are, and will continue to be, a growing school district! Our increased enrollment demonstrates that our District is a desirable community in which families can raise their children. However, this increased enrollment had caused an inequitable balance of students in our K-5 schools. We currently have schools that are over or close to capacity for classroom and support spaces for students while others have space available.
To address this situation, our school board authorized the district to move forward with a Right-Sizing plan to balance student enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year. You can view the slides from that presentation here.
At the Monday, May 2 Board Meeting, the final Right Sizing Plan was approved. You can view the slides from that presentation here. Families impacted by the Right Sizing were contacted by email, phone and letter.
Families impacted by the Right Sizing were invited to attend a Community Conversation session on Monday, May 9, 2022. The presentation from that meeting can be found here.
Benefits of Right-Sizing
● Reduction of overall enrollment in schools where enrollment is exceeding capacity.
● Longer-term solution to the capacity concerns in 3 of our 5 elementary schools.
● One building shift in a student’s elementary career at Wilson.
● Opportunity to allow for growth in the enrollment at each school - based on projected growth data.
● Class sizes can remain at or near our recommended number of students in all schools.
● Provides opportunity to build general fund budget capacity to support staffing needs.
This map represents our current elementary school boundries (outlined in black). The dots represent households with children attending the Wilson School District. The dark blue shapes represent new housing developments that are either currently under construction or that have pulled permits to begin development.
Overview of Current and New Boundries
Searchable Boundry Map
Click here to view the searchable District Boundry Map. Families are able to enter their address to determine which elementary/middle school their student(s) will attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the timeline for the Right Sizing project?
February 8, 2022 Public Communication RE: Right-Sizing Project-February 8, 2022
February 28, 2022 Community Conversations regarding Right-Sizing Project at noon and 6:00pm
March- April, 2022 Public Feedback Process– Thoughtexchange
April 18, 2022 Right-Sizing Update presented by district administration at Board Meeting
May 2, 2022 Board discussion & vote on the Rightsizing Recommendation
May 2, 2022 Finalize letter to affected families
May 3, 2022 Assistants to begin working on personalized letters to affected families
May 4, 2022 Letters sent to affected families regarding rightsizing
May 9, 2022 Community Forums on Rightsizing(4:00 & 6:00 pm- Board room)
May 13, 2022 Online form due for requests for rising 5th grade students to remain in current school
May 16-20, 2022 Class sizes & Staffing changes determined
May 23, 2022 Staff notified of placement changes
Transition communication to families regarding scheduled activities
June 1, 2022 Bus rides for transitioning students to new school
June 3, 2022 Transition Form due to building office
Summer 2022 Open House & Building Tours (*see individual building communications)
August 18, 2022 Popsicle & Packet - 4-5:30pm
What is the timeframe for a decision regarding the building of a new elementary school?
Because we are very early in the planning staging for this project and still needs to go through a number of board approvals, we do not have a defintive timeline for a decision.
What was the process used to choose who is impacted by the right-sizing?
We worked with a consultant-- Transfinder-- to develop five scenarios for our consideration. Our goal was to cause as little disruption for our community, knowing that we still need to provide the best educational environment in all our schools. We focused on the option that moved the least amount of students and maintained contiguous boundries for ease of transportation.
What are you planning to make the transition for the impacted students as smooth as possible?
We recognize that a right-sizing project can create anixety for our students and families and we are committed to doing everything we can to make transitions to a new school as easy as possible. We will work with families to provide us with the names of a few friends they would like to see in their child's class at the new school. In addition, we will host building tours, meet and greet events and opportunities to meet our staff. If there are other ideas from our community, we encourage you to share them with us! In addition, the staff at the schools will be aware of the students who are transititioning and will work to ensure they are provided with any additional support required.
How many students are impacted by the right sizing?
This Right Sizing project will affect less than 200 students or 7% of the current elementary school population.
Will 5th graders be allowed to remain at their buildings if parents transport them?
If a family with an impacted 5th grader chooses to keep them at their current elementary school and is willing to transport them to and from school, that would be permitted. This will only apply to our rising 5th graders.
How do we determine if our student will be a walker or eligible for transportation?
If you have questions regarding if your student will be a walker or ride the bus to their new school, you can contact the transportation department at 610.670.0180 x1231
When will I know what my child's bus route will be?
Bus pick up/ drop off times are typically communicated two weeks prior to the start of the school year. You will be able to access that information online at that time.