Superintendents Wants to Spark Online Discussion about Redistricting

Have a question or opinion about the redistricting of students? School Superintendent Mark Donovan wants to hear from you. Directly. On his blog.

The blog, a unique use of communication technology in Woburn, according to the superintendent and to School Committee Chairman Denis Russell, "will help us achieve two important goals," Donovan wrote last month in his first post.

"First, we want to make the process as transparent as possible so that everyone knows what's happening in a timely way," wrote the superintendent. "Second, we want to provide a convenient way for everyone to offer input at various times throughout this process."

Redistricting will be necessary due to the re-opening of the Goodyear School next September. New school assignments "represent a level of disruption," Donovan wrote, but "redistricting students is a necessary part of the process of improving our educational facilities."

The biggest complaint people have about such changes, Russell said, is that "they don't know what's going on." 

Donovan proposed a 10-point process for the redistricting: "Gather the latest available data," such as "student population, available space, anticipated new housing units;" then "define the task;" consider "how many students/schools might be affected;" form a redistricting committee that "represent(s) the people who will be affected;" ask the committee to consider various options "using a computer-based application that will allow us to use actual student data by household;" develop a draft plan; revise it into a final plan with public input; and then redistrict the students.

The superintendent has "already heard rumors that I've made certain decisions regarding some issues that haven't yet been considered," he wrote in one blog post. "It is always odd to hear other people tell me about decisions I've made when I haven't yet made them. Hopefully, people will rely on this blog for accurate information, and use it for a healthy exchange of ideas."  Posts will be screened to avoid publishing "inappropriate" comments.

Donovan referred all follow-up questions about details of the redistricting process to his blog.

"The most important aspect of this form of communication," Donovan wrote, "is that you can access it at any time that is convenient to you. This Web site also has a convenient translation feature," he noted, "so that we can be sure to reach as many people as possible."

"The best way to use this Web site is to register as a subscriber," the first post concluded. Subscribers receive an e-mail every time new information is posted.

"Thank you in advance," Donovan concluded, "for your meaningful participation in the redistricting process."