All Options Will Be Considered In Redistricting, Fairfield BOE Says

FAIRFIELD, CT — Though specific plans on how it will be done are still months away, the Fairfield Board of Education made clear Thursday that all options will be considered when it comes to pending redistricting efforts.

The board hosted a community conversation at Fairfield Ludlowe High School Thursday night, and while specific plans were not discussed because they do not yet exist, board members said that whatever initiatives are undertaken, they will be comprehensive.

Fairfield Public Schools is discussing redistricting, which it could implement in 2024-25, in part to address racial imbalance within the district, particularly at McKinley Elementary, and also improve its use of facilities.

"It really is a process that has been going on for several years," said Schools Superintendent Michael Testani about the redistricting effort. He only just joined the district last month.

The district currently has 11 elementary schools, and together, average capacity is at 80 percent. Officials want that capacity figure to be at 85 percent, which is one of the drivers of redistricting.

Though no specific plan to eliminate a school exists, the district might consider reducing the number of elementary schools from 11 to 10 to help it achieve its goals.

"Right now, we’re not considering anything, because we’re still gathering numbers," said board member Jessica Gerber. "We’re still in the early stages of this process."

About 50 residents attended Thursday's meeting, with some stressing the need for the district not to redistrict students/families who walk to and from their school.

Others wanted the district to consider taking a slower, piecemeal approach to redistricting, but board members said it will likely be comprehensive, so that everyone shares in the process, not just a few students/families.

The Board of Education is scheduled to meet in January to formulate criteria for consultants to compile a list of options for redistricting, and the group hopes to have specific recommendations in the fall of 2023.