School Board Recap: November 21, 2024
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School Board Recap: November 21, 2024
The Board of Education met on November 21, 2024, to discuss important decisions regarding attendance zone boundaries and review the 2024-25 School Improvement Plans.
The Board approved the new attendance boundaries for Ballman, Cook, and Fairview Elementary Schools, which will take effect in the 2025-26 school year following the closure of Orr Elementary.
Mr. Martin Mahan, Deputy Superintendent, presented three rezoning proposals to the Board. The proposals were developed using demographic data from Zonda Education, the district’s consultant on enrollment and attendance zone planning, as well as feedback from the community. After a thorough discussion and input from Fairview Principal Ami Griggs and Ballman Principal Nancy Burris, the Board voted 4-3 in favor of Proposal B. Proposal B aligns Ballman and Fairview zones with middle school boundaries while maintaining a balanced capacity across schools.
New Attendance Boundaries:
- Ballman Elementary: North of South S Street and west of South Albert Pike Avenue.
- Fairview Elementary: South of South S Street and the former Orr zone north of Zero Street and west of I-540.
- Cook Elementary: The southern portion of the former Orr zone, south of Zero Street and east of I-540.
Families currently attending Fairview or Ballman may apply for attendance area exceptions in spring 2025 to remain at their current schools, though transportation will not be provided.
Dr. Kellie Cohen Minton, Director of Student Achievement, presented the 2024-25 School Improvement Plans, developed collaboratively by campus teams using data from the 2023-24 ATLAS Summative Exam. These plans focus on continuous growth, with tailored, actionable steps designed to address each school's specific needs. Dr. Cohen Minton commended the principals for their leadership in designing and implementing these strategies, emphasizing their crucial role in the success of the plans. The Board unanimously approved the School Improvement Plans with a 6-0 vote, reaffirming the district's commitment to academic excellence and sustained improvement across all campuses.