School board finalizes 2 boundary changes: one at Renberg, one at Rosa Parks
The Sioux Falls School District Board of Education voted to move forward with two boundary changes Monday night that district officials say will help with the significant increase in enrollment of students at Rosa Parks and Renberg elementary schools.
Changes at Renberg Elementary School caught heat from parents in the last school board meeting, with some saying their children would have to change elementary schools up to three times in their K-5 career, going from Renberg, to Hawthorrne and to the new elementary school slated to open near George McGovern Middle School in 2025.
However, the district reported it approved open enrollment applications for any family who wanted to have their children continue to attend Renberg as of Feb. 22, and will continue to follow open enrollment policy for any further requests.
More:Renberg Elementary School parents object to future SFSD boundary changes in neighborhood
The affected boundary area at Renberg includes families living north of Tickman Street, south of Madison Avenue, east of Interstate 29 and west of a natural waterway. Those families will be reassigned to Hawthorne Elementary School, and then to the new northwest elementary school.
Another boundary change involves moving elementary and middle school students living in the area north of Arrowhead Parkway, east of Sycamore Avenue and south of Sixth Street from Rosa Parks Elementary School to Anne Sullivan Elementary School, and from Ben Reifel Middle School to Whittier Middle School.
Additional agreements to reduce enrollment disruptions have been offered to minimize the impact on families in that boundary area, according to an executive summary document prepared for the board meeting.
More:Sioux Falls school board weighs boundary adjustments to Rosa Parks, Renberg campuses
For example, current fourth graders can continue to attend Rosa Parks through open enrollment if requested, and some fifth through seventh graders can continue to remain at Ben Reifel if requested. Bussing will be available for middle school students in the changed area to Whittier.
Board vice president Carly Reiter said she appreciated the families who talked to the board about their preference for boundary decisions. Board president Kate Serenbetz said she appreciated the process and the open dialogue everyone shared.
The vote to move forward with the two boundaries presented by the district Monday night was motioned by board member Marc Murren, seconded by Reiter and passed with four votes in favor. Board member Cynthia Mickelson was not present.
Neighborhood input meetings concerning possible boundary changes for Harvey Dunn and Susan B. Anthony Elementary Schools had to be canceled, because of weather. The meetings will be rescheduled for parents to have enough time to give input before those boundaries are decided at an upcoming board meeting.
In a Feb. 1 board work session, there was discussion for potential boundary changes in those areas as follows:
Students east of Highway 11 and south of 33rd go from Rosa Parks to Harvey Dunn
Students west of Highway 11 and south of 41st go from Rosa Parks to Harvey Dunn
Students in the bus area west of Cleveland Avenue go from Rosa Parks to Susan B. Anthony
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sioux Falls School District makes elementary school boundary changes
