email received 4-12-11

 

April 12, 2011


Dear Westerville City School District Community:

As you know, our Board of Education has been examining short-term options to address capacity issues at the middle school level next year. We appreciate your continued involvement in this process and wish to update you on the latest developments.

The feedback received on Options F and G resulted in the development of two additional options identified as Options H and I. The Board of Education held a work session last night to conduct a more thorough review and public discussion of Options F, G, H and I. As a result of this discussion, Options A, B, C, D, E and G were eliminated as viable short-term solutions to addressing middle school capacity issues. Options F, H and I remain under consideration by the Board.

Option F, which impacts 4 percent of middle school students, entails the following changes and involves these communities:

  • Walnut Springs Middle School students to Blendon Middle School (Brenthurst/Appian Way; Madrid Square Apartments; Wellington Apartments)
  • Genoa Middle School students to Heritage Middle School (Edmonton Commons, Northland Park Estates, Scotland, Glenview Apartments, Northland Square Apartments)


Option H, which impacts 1 percent of middle school students, entails the following changes and involves these communities:

  • Genoa Middle School students to Heritage Middle School (Heritage Estates, Hoff Woods, Wyndbarn Park, Windemere)


Option I would “grandfather” current middle school students and allow them to stay at the school they presently attend. Should this option be approved, approximately 2 percent of the 2011-12 middle school population would have experienced a change in their school of attendance next year:

  • Fifth-graders in these communities, which are currently in the Genoa Middle School attendance area, would transition to the Blendon Middle School attendance area: Hill & Dales, Huber Village, Westerwood Village, Springborough, and Brook Run.
  • Fifth-graders in these communities, which are currently in the Genoa Middle School attendance area, would transition to the Heritage Middle School attendance area: Edmonton Commons, Northland Park Estates, Scotland, Glenview Apartments, and Northland Square Apartments.


Maps and other information about the remaining options can be found on the district web site at www.wcsoh.org. Click the “Middle School Boundary Info” link under the rotating photos on the home page and look for Options F, H and I on the subsequent page. There is also a link on that page for you to submit feedback.

We encourage you to review these options and provide feedback through the link provided. The Board of Education is anticipated to approve one of these short-term solutions at its regular meeting on April 25, 2011. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Westerville City Schools Transportation Complex, located at 125 E. Walnut Street.

Sincerely,

Mark Hershiser
Assistant Superintendent/COO