Woburn School Committee weighs two redistricting paths as early‑childhood program strains space

WOBURN, Mass. — The Woburn School Committee on March 26 heard a consultant presentation and several hours of public comment on redistricting options to address overcrowding and growth in the district’s early‑childhood special education program (ECP).

The committee and district consultant presented two distinct approaches: Option 1 would adopt an “end” map that guides phased moves over multiple years toward a long‑term configuration; Option 2 would redraw boundaries now to address the district’s immediate September space pressures. The committee scheduled a special meeting for April 1, 7 p.m., to vote only on which of the two approaches to pursue; it will not adopt a final map at that meeting.

The choice matters because the district needs space for ECP students — preschool special education placements required by federal and state law — and because any map affects school assignments for hundreds of families.

Sanborn Map Company project manager Priya Sankalia reviewed the work done to date, including geocoding student addresses, developing components (building blocks used to assemble school zones), and producing 13 options and 29 scenarios for review. The advisory committee narrowed those to three endpoint maps tied to Option 1 and several alternative lines for Option 2. Sankalia said the consultant and working group built the scenarios using the committee’s guiding principles, which include class‑size equity, preserving neighborhood schools where possible, protecting special programs and minimizing disruption.

District staff stressed that…