Less than two weeks after a redistricting plan for 370 Center Grove students was proposed, changes could be coming.
Two issues have been questioned: whether Maple Grove Elementary School will have enough room for students coming from newly built homes in southern White River Township, and what should be done about middle school growth.
Last week, Center Grove told parents about the proposed plan to move elementary students to different schools. The redistricting plan is necessary because more families have been moving into the southern side of White River Township, and Maple Grove and Center Grove elementary schools are out of room. The changes would affect about 10 percent of elementary school students and would begin at the start of the next school year.
The current plan would move nearly 100 students out of Maple Grove. But a constant question from residents is whether that’s enough, given how quickly the south side is growing, Superintendent Richard Arkanoff said.
Parents also want to know now whether the school district needs to change where Center Grove students will attend middle school.
Neither middle school is a part of the redistricting plan, but officials have started considering whether students will need to be moved years from now. Arkanoff wants to answer that question now and let parents know so they can start preparing for any changes that will be made in the future.
School officials are reviewing demographic studies, including the number of students in each grade now and projections for the number of students expected to join Center Grove in the future. That information will help determine what, if any, changes should be made to the existing redistricting plan, Arkanoff said.
Dozens of residents living on the south side of White River Township attended a meeting Thursday to ask questions and voice concerns about the redistricting plan. Arkanoff is reviewing the questions people asked and said answers will be posted on the school district’s website. Center Grove will send emails and post updates anytime changes are made to the plan, Arkanoff said.
Officials are considering a second community meeting, and Arkanoff wants to meet with residents from individual neighborhoods, such as Woodfield, to discuss their specific concerns.
The school board is expected to approve the final redistricting plan at its Feb. 19 board meeting, though that date could change if additional time for planning is needed.
