'3-School' Redistricting Model Approved by School Committee

The Stoneham School Committee voted 3-2 last Thursday in favor of an elementary school redistricting plan that's closest to the current model of neighborhood schools, the Stoneham Independent reports.

The redistricting is necessary after voters last year approved a debt exclusion for for an estimated $40 million new Middle School project, which involves converting the existing Central Elementary School into the Central Middle School for grades 5-8.

A report last fall by the Stoneham Elementary Redistricting Committee also said redistricting could include opportunities to improve educational programs and eliminate class size disparities.

The '3-School Model' approved by the School Committee last Thursday will have Grades K-4 at the Colonial Park, Robin Hood and South Schools, with pre-kindergarten and kindergarten housed at Colonial Park.

While new neighborhood lines have yet to be determined to account for where Central School students will now attend elementary classes, the Stoneham Independent reports, the '3-School Model' is closest to current model of neighborhood schools and requires the least amount of busing.

The 'Early Childhood Model' received the other two votes last Thursday, according to the Stoneham Independent. The model would have made Colonial Park a strictly pre-kindergarten and kindergarten building, with all first through fourth graders attending either the Robin Hood or South schools.

None of the five committee members voted for the 'Tiered Model,' would have placed all pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students at Colonial Park, all first and second graders at either the Robin Hood or South school, and third and fourth graders at the other school.

Read the full report at the Stoneham Independent.

MORE ON STONEHAM PATCH:

• Stoneham Elementary Redistricting Committee Produces Interim Report
  
• Construction to Resume at Stoneham Middle-Central School Site
• Stoneham Middle School Demolition Gets Underway [PHOTOS]