Four ways to redraw Dist. 220 maps

As the process of elementary school redistricting in Barrington Area Unit District 220 moves forward, the decision on which students will be switching schools is now in the hands of school board members.

On Tuesday, school board members were officially presented with four different proposals for redistricting.

The attendance changes were developed by the district's community-based enrollment monitoring committee, which for the past year has been studying enrollment projections and other data to try and determine the best way to divide up the district's 3,300 elementary students.

Committee co-chairman Joe Ruffolo said after looking at the data, it became clear to him that some redistricting was needed.

"We want to make sure each of our children has an equitable educational experience," Ruffolo said.

Tuesday's meeting gave school board members the first opportunity to ask members of the committee how they came to their conclusions.

Board members asked about how the committee balanced the different guiding principles, like keeping neighborhoods together and minimizing the amount of transportation time, as well as if the proposals would still be valid if the currently undeveloped areas stay that way.

The final maps show anywhere from 180 to 235 students changing schools. Most of the changes are being proposed for the start of the 2008-2009 year; however, some would not go into effect until some areas become fully developed.

The first map has 180 students moving schools. The largest shift is 60 kids from Barbara B. Rose School to Hough Street School.

A total of 183 students would be moved in the second map, with the largest group, 60, going from Rose to Countryside School.

In the third map, 188 students would be forced to attend a new school. The largest group would be 94 students moving from Rose to Countryside.

The final map moves 235 students. The largest pocket is 88 students shifting from Rose to Grove Avenue School.

Also on Tuesday, the school board set forth the timetable on making a final decision.

Board member Penny Kazmier said there will be two public forums and one public hearing for residents to give their opinions on the proposal.

The forums, which will be in open house-style format, are scheduled for Feb. 7 and 9. The public hearing, where residents can make formal comments, is scheduled for Feb. 19.

After the public hearing, board members will spend at least two weeks deliberating the proposals before making a final decision.

School board President Brian Battle said the earliest the board would vote on the issue is March 4.