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School committee sets priorities for redistricting maps; asks consultant for modular and companion ‘pressure‑point’ scenarios
Summary
Committee members refined and ranked guiding principles that will direct the consultant’s map-drawing, and asked the consultant to produce modular-based scenarios plus companion fallback maps if modulars are not available.
The Woburn School Committee on Feb. 26 prioritized guiding principles the district will give to its redistricting consultant and directed the consultant to produce map scenarios that reflect those priorities — including modular-based maps and companion “pressure-point” maps in case modular classrooms cannot be obtained.
The committee’s ranked priorities for modular-based scenarios (top-first): 1) pursue class-size equity across schools; 2) promote demographic equity (measured across subgroups such as students eligible for free/reduced-price lunch, multilingual learners and students with disabilities); 3) maintain substantially separate special-education programs in their current buildings when feasible; 4) preserve proximity/neighborhood schools; 5) minimize the number of students moved.
The committee also instructed the consultant to attach companion maps to each modular scenario showing short-term “pressure-point” options the district could implement if modulars are unavailable. Those fallback scenarios are intended to relieve immediate crowding while limiting repeated movements of the same students.
Why it matters: Administrators said the modular option allows cleaner long-term boundary lines; parents and committee members raised concerns that maps shown to advisory groups without finalized guiding principles had confused the community. The committee emphasized it wants maps that balance class-size equity and demographic fairness without unnecessary neighborhood disruption.
Process notes: The committee asked for clear streets-level maps so families can see where a specific address would be assigned under each scenario. The advisory group will review consultant maps before the committee finalizes any plan; the administration said it will communicate timelines and post materials publicly.
What’s next: The consultant will use the committee’s prioritized list to generate scenarios. The committee also authorized the chair to pursue modulars with the city (see separate article) and requested companion pressure-point scenarios for each modular map to show options if the modulars are not available.
