The new school boundaries recommended by the Long Range Planning Committee of the St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) are being finalized by the SVVSD Board of Education.  The proposed boundaries account for the new Middle/High School #4, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2001.  

The board held a public hearing on the boundaries on Nov. 8, during which families had a chance to ask questions and voice their concerns. Findings from other public meetings held at the affected schools were also presented at the Nov. 8 meeting.  The board plans to hold the last public meeting on Dec. 13, before making its final decision, either at that meeting or early next year.

One of the main concerns voiced at the Nov. 8 meeting was that of families having to send siblings to two different high schools.  Under the proposed boundary plan, about 100 families could end up in this situation. The board indicated that it is considering looking at exemptions on a case-by-case basis and that families would need to appeal on the basis of hardship to be allowed to send siblings to the same school. 

The proposed attendance areas are as follows:

Middle/High School #4: The attendance area for this new school, located near the intersection of Nelson and Airport Roads, includes some areas formerly going to Niwot and Longmont High Schools and to Sunset  and Westview Middle Schools.    The #4 Middle School will be fed by Eagle Crest Elementary School only.  The #4 High School will be fed by both the #4 Middle School and those Westview Middle School students living in the Longmont Estates Elementary School attendance area.

Longmont High School: The new attendance area for LHS includes the attendance areas of Longs Peak and Westview Middle Schools, which will be fed by the Central, Hygiene, Mountain View, Northridge, and Sanborn Elementary Schools.

Niwot High School: The new attendance area for NHS is identical to that for Sunset Middle School, which will be fed by all of the Burlington, Indian Peaks, and Niwot Elementary School attendance areas. Students who now attend NHS and SMS but who live in the Eagle Crest Elementary School boundaries would attend the #4 Middle/High School.   

Reduce the severe overcrowding problem at Longmont High School, as well as the overcrowding at Niwot High School and Sunset Middle School.

Avoid overcorrecting the problem by removing too much of the student population.

Provide space for anticipated growth in the affected attendance areas over the next five years.

 The committee further explained, in making its recommendation, “[The Committee] reviewed the proximity of the Central area to LHS as a key factor in keeping this area connected with LHS.  With the Hygiene area, the bulk of the student population is further from #4 than Longmont Estates.  Given the considerations of walking distance, transportation issues, proximity, and appropriate enrollment numbers, the Committee believed this represented the best option to relieve the overcrowding at LHS.”
Westview Middle School: The Committee also reviewed a number of options with regard to Westview. 

The report stated, “The only area proposed for removal from the Westview attendance area with this plan is part of a current split feeder between St. Vrain Road and Nelson Road.  This area currently goes to Eagle Crest, Westview, and then to Niwot High School.  This change will eliminate the split feeder for these students by keeping them with their Eagle Crest area students.    

The middle school students from the Longmont Estates area would be the only split with this boundary plan.  They would go from Longmont Estates to Westview, then to the #4 High School.  While it is a split, they remain together as a cohesive neighborhood all the way through their K-12 career.”

Middle School #4: The Committee expects there will be around 230 middle school students when School #4 opens next fall. Furthermore, Principal Chris Rugg felt this would “provide an ideal number to work with and allow them to be located in their own wing of the building.” Rugg also is planning several activities to help orient incoming students. The proposed boundary change keeps the Eagle Crest students in a single feeder with Middle/High School #4.  Next year’s enrollment is expected to be about half of the school’s capacity, which should leave several open enrollment slots available. 

Enrollment numbers will be updated when the final October enrollment figures are available.

Estimates will also be refined by doing a capacity analysis, which will be undertaken in the next few months, to determine any changes to building capacity at the affected schools.  

Finally, the Committee may further refine the estimates based on a number of other variables that could affect projected enrollments, including possible open enrollment choices, continued impact of the Ute Creek Charter and growth in the International Baccalaureate program at Niwot High School.  The Committee stated, “In the spring, decisions will be finalized on whether any of the impacted schools and/or the new school will be open for open enrollment.” 

A SVVSD school is usually only open for open enrollment when it is under 100 percent capacity and is not projected to reach capacity in the immediate future.  The board revised its open enrollment policy in February this year. The current policy allows for some additional open enrollment, upon formal application, in certain cases at the discretion of the principal in consultation with a planning specialist.

As far as transportation impacts, the Committee noted, “Additional buses and drivers will be necessary for the students in the Longmont Estates area.  However, some busing will be eliminated in the immediate vicinity of Middle/Senior #4 as these students will no longer need to be transported to Sunset Middle School and Niwot High.”

Regarding athletic programs, the new high school has been asked to play in the newly formed Skyline League the first year. The Committee report states, “Interest and numbers will determine what sports the new school will play.  For those students who may wish to compete in a sport that is not offered by #4, they would be able to play at another district high school that offers the sport. … Niwot and Longmont High Schools will continue to play in their current leagues and football conferences through the 2001-2002 school year.  Recommendations to CHSAA will be considered based on their projected enrollments for the next two-year rotation for athletics and activities.”

The public is invited to make any final concerns and comments known to the Board regarding these proposed school boundaries at the Dec. 13 meeting, held at the Educational Services Center at 395 S. Pratt Parkway at 7 p.m.  To confirm the meeting details, contact the Board of Education at 303-682-7202. For more information about the Long Range Planning Committee’s report, contact Scott Toillion, head of the Committee, at 303-682-7229.