News

The District 112 School Board created the Boundaries Task Force to address the following issues:

High School - In the fall of 2009, the district will open a second high school, necessitating the first-ever need for high school attendance boundaries in District 112.

Middle School - In the fall of 2009, the district will open a third middle school, necessitating the realignment of middle school attendance boundaries to accommodate three schools instead of two.

Elementary School - The district long-range facilities plan, revised two years ago and based on earlier demographic projections, had anticipated the district would need to open another elementary school in 2010. Updated projections received in fall, 2007, reflected the current slowdown in the housing market. This updated information suggests that the next elementary school and probably be delayed until 2012 or 2013. Doing so, however, requires some adjustment to elementary attendance boundaries to ensure that existing buildings do not become overcrowded before the next building opens. Based on the most recent enrollment projections and, assuming no change in existing boundaries, by 2012, Clover Ridge Elementary, Victoria Elementary and Chaska Elementary would all have enrollments above building capacity. At the same time, Chanhassen Elementary, Bluff Creek Elementary, and Jonathan Elementary would have extra classroom space. The Boundary Task Force has been asked to develop a plan for boundary adjustments that would even out projected enrollment to a level that would be sustainable until the next elementary school opens.

The Mission of the Task Force - The Task Force is limited to a recommendation on the drawing of attendance boundaries. Members are not empowered to discuss or change grade level configurations of buildings or to determine district policy regarding issues such as all-day kindergarten or other programs. Changes to items like these are the prerogative of the School Board only. The Task Force has been asked to review the boundaries and, in the case of the elementary boundaries, to keep two considerations in mind: Balance enrollment displacing as few children as possible and maintain the current demographic balance across all district schools.

The Task Force - The Task Force comprises 23 people. It is co-chaired by Jean Buller, CHS parent, and David Jennings, Superintendent. The membership was selected based on a desire to have a cross-section of all district communities and grade levels. Members are volunteers and empowered only to recommend a plan to the School Board for consideration.