This is a press release courtesy Eugene School District 4J

After an extensive staff review and public input process, Eugene School District 4J Superintendent George Russell has decided to adjust five neighborhood school boundaries, effective next school year (2009–10).

Of the six boundary changes that had been initially under consideration, four will be implemented for the 2009–10 school year, with small adjustments to two proposals based on suggestions from families who live in those areas.  Boundary changes in the Laurel Hill Valley and East Skinner Butte historic district areas will go forward as proposed; the changes in the Hawkins/Blacktail Drive and west College Hill areas will be implemented with some minor modifications from the original proposals.

The remaining two boundary change proposals, in the west downtown area and the vicinity east of Morse Ranch to Hilyard, will not go forward at this time but may be reviewed again following budget decisions for the 2009–11 biennium. 

A seventh boundary change proposal that emerged from community feedback at public input meetings also will be implemented. This additional change will adjust a school attendance boundary in the south Fox Hollow Road area, moving a small area to the South region.

About 180 students (just over 1% of 4J’s total student enrollment), many of whom already attend the newly designated neighborhood schools or other 4J schools, reside within the boundary change areas. These students may choose to enroll at their newly designated neighborhood school in 2009–10, continue at their former neighborhood school, or continue attending any other 4J school at which they are enrolled. Starting next school year, bus transportation will be provided only to the new neighborhood schools.

Prior to making his decision, the superintendent sought input from community members through several public meetings, comment cards, phone calls and an online survey. In each of the five neighborhoods affected by the boundary changes, a large majority of the parents responding supported the proposal.

Two school boundaries will be changed as originally proposed:

•  Boundary 1: Laurel Hill Valley
   Change from Harris Elementary School to Edison Elementary School.

•  Boundary 4:  East Skinner Butte Historic District Area
   Change from River Road Elementary School to Edison Elementary School.
   Change from Kelly Middle School to Roosevelt Middle School.
   Change from North Eugene High School to South Eugene High School

Two boundary changes will go forward with slight modifications:

•  Boundary 3:  Hawkins/Blacktail Drive Vicinity
   Change from César Chávez Elementary School to Crest Drive Elementary School.

Area residents suggested expanding the original proposal to include the west ends of Southview Drive and Tanner Park Drive. This idea met the goal of keeping neighborhoods together and was adopted.  The neighborhood schools for students who reside at the west ends of the streets will change from McCornack Elementary School to Crest Drive Elementary School and from Kennedy Middle School to the Arts and Technology Academy.

•  Boundary 6:  West College Hill Area
   Change from Arts and Technology Academy to Roosevelt Middle School.
   Change from Churchill High School to South Eugene High School.

Several parents suggested extending the western border of the boundary change to include both sides of Friendly Street.  This idea met the goal of keeping neighborhoods together and was adopted.

One additional boundary change requested by parents will be implemented:

•  Boundary 7:  South Fox Hollow Road Area
   Change from Twin Oaks Elementary to Edgewood Community Elementary School.
   Change from Kennedy Middle School to Spencer Butte Middle School.
   Change from Churchill High School to South Eugene High School.

Two proposals will not be implemented next year, but may be reconsidered later:

•  Boundary 2:  Vicinity East of Morse Ranch to Hilyard.
   Change from Adams Elementary School to Parker Elementary School.

•  Boundary 5:  West Downtown Area
   Change from River Road Elementary School to Adams Elementary School.
   Change from Kelly Middle School to Roosevelt Middle School.
   Change from North Eugene to South Eugene High School.

The school boundary review was among the recommendations approved by the Eugene School Board last year, as part of the Shaping 4J’s Future planning process. The purpose of the boundary review is to ensure that students are assigned to a neighborhood school close to where they live and that each neighborhood school maintains an adequate number of students within its attendance boundary as 4J's student enrollment declines and shifts. The scope was limited, in order to minimize disruption for students and families.

More information is available on the district’s Web site at www.4j.lane.edu. Families of currently enrolled 4J students within the boundary change areas will be contacted directly by mail.