A letter from the Bishop, Brackett, Dallin and Hardy communities with 145 signatures asks the superintendent share more data about Thompson enrollment and capacity numbers for the seven elementary schools, requesting these points be the focus of the January Redistricting Committee meeting.

David Plumb, who lives in a current Dallin neighborhood, addressed the School Committee on Thursday, Dec 22, about the letter, sent to Superintendent Kathleen Bodie the day before.

Here is the letter in full, provided by the parents who composed it:

"Dear Superintendent Bodie, Members of the Arlington School Committee and Redistricting Committee,

"We are a group of residents from across Arlington who have come together with a shared interest of becoming more engaged in the current redistricting effort.

"We are eager to work with the Redistricting and School Committees to address the challenges that led the town to undertake this effort. We recognize you have a tough task in leading this initiative and applaud the decision to empower parent representatives to recommend a plan.

"We are concerned that the approach to date has created unnecessary confusion. Going forward, we would strongly support an approach to this initiative that more clearly names the problems were trying to resolve, and is firmly grounded in core community priorities.

"Attached are recommendations to improve the redistricting process that we urge you to consider.

"We specifically request that you take the following steps:

"1) Share more data and information that can clarify the underlying problem(s) that this effort must address, in particular:

"a. What exactly is the arrangement with MSBA regarding enrollment at Thompson? How close to 380 must enrollment be, and by when? What exactly is MSBA requiring regarding redistricting in general? We are receiving mixed messages from the state and town on these issues.

"b. Further explanation of where the capacity numbers come from, to identify opportunities for flexibility (i.e., can stand-alone programs be moved or open enrollment changed? Can staffing move? How will changing birth rates affect the numbers?)

"c. Given that schools will never be exactly at capacity, what is the acceptable deviation from the intended capacity at each school (e.g., +/-10, +/-30,)?

"What are the tangible implications of deviations from exact capacity levels at each school?

"2) Focus the January Redistricting Committee meeting around an exploration of this additional data and information, as well as a discussion of metrics of success that include core priorities of parents. Our priorities include protecting existing community networks around elementary schools and ensuring kids have a safe route to school.

"3) Consider a range of options to address the challenges of class size and infrastructure use, in addition to any redrawing of districts.

"4) Engage more proactively with parents through meetings held at each school and other means, well before a final draft map might be completed in March.

"We would welcome the opportunity to meet with Superintendent Bodie and members of the School Committee to discuss these ideas and explore options for making this initiative lead to wise and publicly supported outcomes. We will continue to have active conversations with our local parent representatives, and have greatly appreciated their work to date."

NOTE: 135 signatures were on this letter when sent Dec. 21, but the list had grown to 145 by the next day.

Redistricting FAQ | School website Dec. 20: Draft map No. 2 >> (large .PDF)

Redistricting timeline: process aims for June recommendation

As the Redistricting Committee had its second meeting Tuesday, Dec. 13, the School Committee has received a timeline for the process.

December- February: Discuss appropriateness of proposed new district lines in draft map. Develop draft map No. 2, which includes buffer areas around district lines. [Buffers are border areas that allow the administration flexibility to choose which district a student may attend.]

Maintain in draft map No. 2 capacity targets at each school.

March: Solicit parent feedback on draft map in forums based at each six current elementary schools.

April-May: Review parental feedback. Make adjustments to draft map while maintaining capacity targets for each school. Review map with community relations subcommittee.

June: Recommended map with new elementary district lines sent to School Committee for approval.

The members of the committee are:

Administration: Superintendent Kathleen Bodie and Chief Financial Officer Diane Johnson

Bishop School: Mark McAneny, principal; and Dorothy Commons, parent representative

Brackett School: Stephanie Zerchykov, principal; and Roly Chaput, parent representative

Dallin School: Tara Rossi, principal; and Lauren Boyle, parent representative

Hardy School: Deborah D’Amico, principal; and Ned Hall, parent representative

Peirce School: Karen Hartley, principal; Charlie Radoslovich, parent representative; and Cate Oranchak, parent representative alternate

Stratton School/Thompson School: Sheryl Donovan, principal; and/or Jackie Daley, Stratton School liaison; and Chuck Hannon, Stratton School parent representative

Thompson: Greg Watt, parent representative

School Committee representative, Leba Heigham

Town GIS coordinator: Adam Kurowski

Each School Council voted its own representative.