Woburn advances redistricting process, adds equity to guiding principles and delays MSBA building applications until plan finalized

The Woburn School Committee on Jan. 30 received an update from consultant Sanborn on a districtwide redistricting process and approved changes to the committee's guiding principles, adding a stated focus on equity for marginalized groups. The committee also voted to defer formal building recommendations and MSBA submissions until after the redistricting plan is complete.

Consultant work and timeline: Superintendent Dr. Christine Crowley said Sanborn (a geospatial consulting firm with a Boston office) has been geocoding student addresses, assembling "puzzle pieces" of feeder patterns and meeting weekly with central-office staff, principals and transportation. Sanborn representatives told the committee they believe the district can meet a May deadline for a redistricting vote if the committee follows the planned timeline and community engagement schedule.

Community input: The district used a ThoughtExchange open-question survey that drew 582 participants and 304 distinct thoughts. Common themes were equitable class sizes, classroom space for specialists, proximity/walkability, transportation and long-term planning tied to ongoing housing construction in town. Dr. Crowley said the city GIS, building department and developer schedules are being used to project future enrollments.

Guiding principles and vote: Committee member Andrew Lipsett moved to add language prioritizing equity for marginalized groups (explicitly naming multilingual learners and low-income students in committee discussion); the motion passed. Committee members then agreed to adopt the proposed guiding principles as a "living" document, to be refined by the resource and capital planning subcommittee and updated in light of ongoing public feedback. Committee members emphasized timely, multilingual public outreach and community forums so families can review draft scenarios and tour buildings before a final vote.

MSBA and building recommendations: The Building, Capital and Planning Committee had recommended pursuing MSBA funding for older facilities. Committee members said that because redistricting affects capacity and long-term use of buildings, the committee would table building recommendation votes until the redistricting plan is complete. The consultant's contracted fee was confirmed in discussion as approximately $80,000.

Public meetings and accessibility: District leaders said they will post maps and materials on the Woburn Public Schools website, hold public forums, and provide translated materials; the committee discussed timing for advisory-group and parent representative meetings and said it would solicit parent volunteers from each school.

Ending: Committee members stressed the need to give families adequate notice and opportunities to visit potential receiving schools if lines change; the committee set advisory and subcommittee meetings to finalize public engagement and review draft scenarios.