By Lauren Olsen
Change is coming to Westfield Washington School at the elementary level. Supt. Mark Keen recently presented his redistricting recommendation of Plan A to a very crowded room of parents and interested parties.
“This is just for your information at this point, the vote will take place next month,” Keen said, adding he believes Plan A is the best choice to prevent any issues with overcrowding at this time.
According to the details of Plan A, students who reside in Springdale Farms, Village Farms, Bainbridge, Hills & Dales, Westfield Farms, Beacon Pointe and Shadow Lakes be reassigned to Shamrock Springs Elementary. Officials said this will reduce the number of students at Oak Trace Elementary by 105 students and also will allow room for the continued growth of the Viking Meadows neighborhood. Plan B would affect students who reside in Springdale Farms and Viking Meadows. They would be assigned to Shamrock Springs, which will reduce the number of Oak Trace by 94 students.
Officials said both plans call for Pine Ridge, Quail Ridge and the boundary’s northwest corner to be assigned to Monon Trail; Carey Commons and the northeast corner move to Washington Woods; and the Keeneland development with no current homes will be reassigned to Maple Glen from Shamrock Springs.
Newly appointed Board President Tim Gardner said that someone at some time is going to have to move because of overcrowding at schools.
“These are very emotional issues, you’ve got to get that,” he said. “We will continue to try to do what’s best for kids.”
The board will vote on this issue on Feb. 11.
By the numbers
Westfield Washington School district elementary enrollment for 2013-2014
Carey Ridge – 493 total; 124, kindergarten; 105, first grade; 88, second grade; 81, third grade; and 95, fourth grade.
Maple Glen – 559 total; 93, kindergarten; 129, first grade; 105, second grade; 105, third grade; and 127, fourth grade.
Monon Trail – 237 total; 60, kindergarten; 42, first grade; 39, second grade; 46, third grade; and 50, fourth grade.
Oak Trace – 614 total; 132, kindergarten; 131, first grade; 122, second grade; 108, third grade; and 121, fourth grade.
Shamrock Springs – 406 total; 70, kindergarten; 65, first grade; 96, second grade; 82, third grade; and 93, fourth grade.
Washington Woods – 390 total; 66, kindergarten; 81, first grade; 76, second grade; 78, third grade; and 89, fourth grade.
