BETHEL SCHOOL DISTRICT
Elementary Boundary Changes
In anticipation of sixth graders moving to middle schools and shifting demographics, the Bethel School District will be revising attendance boundaries for elementary schools.
A Citizen’s Boundary Study Committee began meeting on Jan. 9 to develop a plan, which will be presented at two public forums and two public hearings. A final decision by the school board is expected on March 12.
The study committee includes principals and parent representatives from each school. Several community members at-large and a few additional central office administrators may also be a part of this group.
The following is a list of important dates, related to this process:
Committee meetings
– January 9, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Educational Service Center (ESC)
– January 16, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Educational Service Center (ESC)
– January 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Educational Service Center (ESC)
– January 30, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Educational Service Center (ESC) (If needed)
– February 20, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Educational Service Center (ESC) (To adjust plan following Public Forums)
– March 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Educational Service Center (ESC) (If needed, after 1st Hearing)
Public forums
– February 6, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Liberty Middle School
– February 13, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Thompson Elementary
Board hearings
– February 26, 7:00 p.m., Bethel Middle School
– March 12, 7:00 p.m. Educational Service Center (ESC) (Final Vote)
All meetings are open to the public. Maps of recommended changes will be posted on the district website soon.
Secondary Boundary Changes
In December, the Bethel School Board approved new secondary boundaries. The changes were needed to help rebalance schools due to the district’s changes in grade configuration and population growth. Decisions were made based on the following criteria:
- Even out enrollment in the 2013-14 school year,
- Maintain even enrollment for five years (through 2018-19),
- Continue with direct feeder schools from middle school to high school,
- Ensure that the plan is reasonable to implement from a transportation perspective (safety & routing),
- Consider proximity of housing developments to schools,
- Minimize splitting neighborhoods, and
- Consider diversity if possible.
Copies of the new boundary maps are posted on the district website at http://www.bethelsd.org/services/secondary_boundary_study.
Pierce Prairie Post 