CFAC
We understand that changing school enrollment boundaries impacts many in our community. But with the three Stanwood area elementary schools at or near capacity — and projected to increase — it had become time to make some of these tough decisions.
CFAC has been regularly meeting since October to carefully and thoughtfully analyze enrollment data, trends, and projections. During that time, the group received more than 1,000 individual pieces of feedback they used to help create and refine new boundary maps.
The goal has always been to balance enrollment as best as possible to provide students with equitable access to resources — all while addressing as many needs as possible from the community. However, not every suggestion and piece of feedback was reflected on a draft map throughout this process. But it doesn’t mean it wasn’t investigated.
For example, CFAC received ideas around changing the two middle schools’ structure to become one school housing fifth- and sixth-graders and another school hosting seventh- and eighth-graders. But aside from increased transportation routes and higher busing costs, taking fifth-graders out of elementary schools did not solve the unbalanced enrollment problem.
Additionally, families in several neighborhoods and on certain streets advocated to remain within their current school boundaries. These suggestions were investigated thoroughly and repeatedly, but not all were reflected on a draft map because they didn't help balance enrollment at our schools while adhering to community requirements, such as reasonable bus routes.
All of these ideas and suggestions took CFAC through 11 draft maps so far. They were investigated by transportation, district staff, and CFAC to see if there were any major issues. Often there were problems. The group would make changes and start the process again.
Now, CFAC feels they have a consensus among the group that they have explored nearly every option, and that this Draft Map 11 is close to what they would recommend the School Board move to adopt for the 2023-24 school year.
Draft Map 11
Draft Maps 1-10
There will be more public forums at 5:30 p.m. on February 23rd at Stanwood Middle School and on February 27th at Stanwood Elementary to discuss the changes and how CFAC arrived at this map. The purpose of these meetings will be to allow families a final opportunity to give feedback and look for any major issues not previously investigated on what appears to be the final draft map.
Read more about CFAC, see links to maps, and learn about this process HERE.