School committee forms subcommittee to study redistricting/realignment; members urge careful public process

The school committee agreed to move forward with a subcommittee to study potential school realignment or redistricting but emphasized that the work will take considerable time, public engagement and possibly outside consulting. Member Shabiliya, who helped form the subcommittee, said the district has not redrawn attendance boundaries in decades and that a consultant could provide capacity and technical analysis. "If we're going to seriously go down the road of talking about a redistricting or realignment... it should originate here," she said, urging use of consultant-based analysis and use of municipal free cash if needed. Several members stressed the emotional sensitivity of redistricting and urged a careful public process. Member John Donovan said the committee should avoid producing public alarm and should ensure parents and staff are engaged early. Member Kevin Willette pointed to prior long-running disputes during the last major redistricting and suggested any eventual consultant study should clearly define its objectives (for example, balancing enrollments, reducing busing costs, or addressing demographic equity). Committee members noted some demographic context: Tenney and Timoney have higher proportions of high-need students; a consultant's analysis would examine capacity, program placement and potential operational savings. No motion to change boundaries was made; the subcommittee will explore scope, purpose and options and may recommend a consultant and a public engagement plan in a later meeting.