Ogden Elementary (KMAN file photo)
Bill Bernard and Brandon Peoples contributed to this story
Largely overshadowed by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, school officials in USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden Schools are also working through a tedious redistricting process.
This week, during its Wednesday meeting, the school board discussed at length ongoing plans due to the high level of feedback by those in the community. Assistant Superintendent Eric Reid says the district is nearing the end of its contracted work with consulting firm RSP & Associates, whom it hired in January, as it works to redraw attendance boundaries, ahead of the fall 2021 opening of the new Oliver Brown Elementary in Blue Township.
“We’re out there listening and we’re not finished with this. If we were, I’d have a recommendation tonight and we could vote on it, but that’s not where we’re at. We’re planning on that in February,” he said.
RSP has been looking at population trends, demographics, enrollment data, and potential growth and development in the final calculations. The data prioritizes factors set by the Board of Education and input from the community.
Reid says the one of the top priorities for the redistricting plan has been building utilization (maximizing class sizes for maximizing children’s education). The challenge comes when separating students from environments they’ve grown comfortable with.
“It’s difficult for families because you talk about a neighborhood school and everyone’s going there except you,” he said.
Board President Karla Hagemeister responded to Reid’s request for board feedback on the issue and says while they may discuss the matter, she wants to ensure that the work RSP is doing is serving a purpose.
Board Members also waged whether there would be a need for numerous formal working sessions or to leverage community voices from Ogden over those from Manhattan, as different communities presently are being bused based on boundaries set in the fall of 2012.
The two redistricting maps show extended boundaries, especially for Ogden Elementary School. including potential expansion of the boundary along Scenic Drive, north past Miller Parkway near Wildcat Creek. Reid says a good topic for future board meetings could be input about logistics and thoughts about local families busing students to Ogden. Board Vice President Jurdene Coleman stands by the decision to bus students to Ogden in the long-term, noting families who might feel disenfranchised by the district.
“That’s very hard to hear and it does make you feel very guilty. We all know those things are not true of the seven of us,” she said. “As we are taking in what the community has to say, it’s important to recognize that while making an emotional decision feels like the way we are going, is that the way to govern?”
As a source of many grievances , Title One funding had been scrutinized as an indication of how the district should be partitioned. Reid clarified during the meeting that Title One allotments are meant to benefit all students instead of targeted assistance.
“The question about Title One eligibility isn’t to achieve more money for the district, because the money is what it is. It’s how many students we can impact with that money by spreading out those buildings and get more kids eligible for those benefits and get more help to those kids more ways,” he said.
Board member Curt Herrman worries too many work sessions could delay the findings of RSP.
“We’re not cherry picking every other house and sending kids out. There will still be kids in the same neighborhoods going to the same school,” he said.
A link to the redistricting maps and plan can be found here: https://www.usd383.org/district/redistricting
Staying in hybrid for now
Elsewhere Wednesday night, the school board remained firm on its decision not to change instructional delivery modes.
Despite rumors of a possible shift to remote learning circulating earlier this week, Superintendent Dr. Marvin Wade reaffirmed the district’s intent to stay in hybrid learning as long as possible.
“As long as we can do it safely and that the schools don’t become a point of outbreak, our medical advisory group see that as in our best interests and that we can continue to provide the staff,” he said.
While in hybrid, Wade urges vigilance to keep the potential for spread contained within buildings. He says educators need to be ready for an eventual pivot to 5-day on site learning or a shift to full remote, based on data from health officials.
Speaking on KMAN’s In Focus Wednesday, Wade says no decision has been made as to a potential temporary shift to full remote for the two days prior to the holiday break (Dec. 21 and Dec. 22). The district is exploring that as a possibility, similar to the shift made in the shortened school week ahead of Thanksgiving. Wade said Wednesday it would be “premature to make any decision on that.”
Other business
The board heard the annual English for Speakers of Other Languages report from program coordinator Emily Cherms on how they’ve adapted to those learners during the pandemic.
The board approved a $201,396 contract change order for construction on Manhattan High School West Campus, to include changing parking lot paving from asphalt to concrete. The change order keeps the project under budget.
A temporary construction easement for the City of Manhattan levee project was approved for property along the northern portion of the district warehouse at 810 Levee Drive.
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