Woburn School Committee reviews redistricting scenarios as parents and students urge stability

The Woburn School Committee on April 8 reviewed two redistricting scenarios designed to ease overcrowding at several elementary schools and to make room for an expanding early childhood program (ECP). Committee members heard from the district’s consultant and administrators, asked clarifying questions about capacity and phasing, and then heard extended public comment from parents, students and staff before setting a schedule for further public input.

District leaders told the committee the redistricting process responds to sustained enrollment growth and program needs. “We’re out of space, specifically at the elementary level,” Dr. Crowley said, noting that enrollment rose about 8% last year and that the district now has 9 ECP classrooms at the Reeves and 4 at the Shamrock. The administration and consultant Priya Sankalia described an iterative process built on guiding principles—class-size equity, demographic equity, keeping programs in current buildings, neighborhood schools and minimizing disruption—and explained how they used 67 geographic “components” to build 32 scenarios that were scored against those principles.

The presentation highlighted two maps identified for further consideration (referred to in the…