Lakeville School Board reviews attendance area options amid rising enrollment concerns

The Lakeville Public School District Board of Education meeting on July 8, 2025, highlighted critical discussions surrounding student enrollment and boundary adjustments, with a focus on three proposed options. The attendance area work group presented these options to address overcrowding at Highview Elementary and Century Middle School, which are currently operating above capacity.

The first option, previously discussed in March, aimed to adjust attendance boundaries but would not impact current students for the upcoming school year. Instead, it would apply to new students enrolling after September 2, 2025. This model would relieve some pressure at Highview and Century Middle School in the long term but does not address immediate overcrowding.

The second option, recommended by the work group, proposes a more conservative approach. It would limit boundary changes to new construction areas, allowing current students to remain in their schools while directing new students to Eastview Elementary and Kenwood Trail Middle School. This option aims to mitigate enrollment increases at Highview and Century without displacing existing students, providing stability for families during a transitional period.

A third option, which was not previously selected, was also revisited. This model would have resulted in more significant changes to student assignments but was deemed less favorable due to its potential to disrupt families and not adequately address current overcrowding.

The board also discussed the implications of a newly approved subdivision, Amelia Meadows, which is expected to add approximately 125 students to the district. The work group suggested incorporating this subdivision into the second option, directing its residents to JFK Elementary and Maguire Middle School to further alleviate pressure on Highview.

As the board deliberated, members expressed a desire for minimal disruption to families while recognizing the need for a long-term solution to the district's enrollment challenges. The consensus leaned towards adopting the second option, which balances immediate needs with future planning, allowing time for a comprehensive study of enrollment trends and boundary adjustments.

The board's decision is anticipated to provide clarity for families as they prepare for the upcoming school year, while also setting the stage for more significant changes in the future.