Noblesville Schools announced on Tuesday a proposed rebalancing of elementary school boundaries for the 2021-2022 school year.
Approximately 200 elementary students (4 percent of the district’s elementary population) would be impacted by the new boundaries and have already been notified directly of the proposed moves.
The new boundaries would see students from Hazel Dell Elementary, North Elementary, and Stony Creek Elementary moving to Hinkle Creek Elementary, Noble Crossing Elementary, and Promise Road Elementary. White River Elementary would have students moving both in and out. No boundary changes are being proposed at any other schools in the district.
Current fourth graders impacted by the moves will be allowed to stay at their home school for their last year of elementary next year, if they choose.
A committee made up of district staff and parent representatives developed the rebalancing proposal after carefully studying the issue for several months. The plan works to minimize the number of impacted students while appropriately balancing class sizes and socioeconomic backgrounds as evenly as possible across schools.
Mundy
“We know that this kind of change can be stressful for families who are impacted and we hate that,” said Noblesville Schools Associate Superintendent Dr. David Mundy. “Unfortunately, we can’t control where growth occurs and must address the lack of space in some of our buildings. Our goal is to maximize existing space while minimizing disruptions to families.”
The district commissioned a professional demographic study and leaders have used this data to carefully monitor growth trends and enrollments.
With the cost of new construction for an elementary school estimated at $30 million, rebalancing as needed to use existing space efficiently saves taxpayers money.
“We last rebalanced in 2016,” Mundy added. “We realize doing it again this year was not ideal given the pressure COVID has placed on our school systems and families, but due to upcoming student projections we must address space in our buildings now.”
Impacted families have been invited to in-person meetings to discuss details of the proposed moves.
“I want to thank the parents and staff who served on our study committee as their input was a key part of this process,” Mundy said. “I look forward to meeting more parents and answering any questions at our upcoming public meetings.”