Redistricting Wareham schools not in immediate future, superintendent says

Nov 19, 2013

With class sizes at Minot Forest Elementary School up to 26 % larger than at Decas Elementary, possible redistricting was raised at a School Committee on Nov. 6.

Superintendent Kimberly Shaver-Hood notes that actually undertaking redistricting would be a long, involved process that would involve "discussions with staff and parents." But the topic was raised by a report on class size.

Minot Forest's second grade classes are larger that Decas' by an average of three students, while fourth grade classes there are larger by an average of more than five students.

According to Shaver-Hood, the discrepancy emerged after the academic year had begun.

“School had started, and we crept up with a few more students,” she said.

As a potential solution, committee member Cliff Sylvia raised the topic of redistricting. He pointed to a disproportionate population growth in Minot Forest Elementary School’s district in comparison to Decas Elementary School’s.

Chairman Rhonda Veugen suggested working with the town to better understand future development plans.

“Yes, we don’t know the number of families that are going to be moving in there, but we need to put that as part of the data point when taking a look at redistricting,” she said.