Durango School District 9-R will consider redrawing school boundaries as it faces uneven growth and an increasing number of students whose parents work in town and want their children to attend school there, Dan Snowberger, 9-R superintendent told the board at its meeting Tuesday.
“This is not a decision being made anytime soon,” he said. “But our rural school numbers continue to drop, and I know this board believes small schools are important to our community.”
Two schools bursting at the seams are Florida Mesa and Park elementary schools, while Sunnyside Elementary School has space and resources being underused.
“We always grandfather in existing students,” Snowberger said, “because we know students build relationships with teachers and peers. But students who are grandfathered in have the responsibility to come to school and be on time.”
Park is at capacity, so the district would have to bring in modulars to house additional students. Instead, Snowberger is looking at moving Sunnyside’s borders to include those living in the area along the U.S. Highways 550/160 from Walmart to Farmington Hill and in the County Road 302 area. That would be to accommodate the expected growth from the to-be-built apartment complex with 192 units near Escalante Middle School and continuing growth in Three Springs.
In addition to redrawing boundaries, the district may see some easing with in-town crowding when The Juniper School, a free public elementary charter school, opens in fall 2017.
Snowberger and staff members will research and recommend redrawn school boundaries.
After a draft proposal is presented to the board, the district would hold a public meeting for comments from families and residents before finalizing the lines.
abutler@durangoherald.com
