Superintendent reports 14 CMS open‑enrollment inquiries; board asks for impact analysis before decisions

Superintendent Jones updated the board on the Central Middle School (CMS) open‑enrollment survey and said 14 sixth‑grade students had applied as of the survey deadline. She said the administration is cross‑referencing addresses and student support needs (English‑learner status, special education and 504 plans) to assess operational and equity impacts before any policy decision.

Jones told the board most expressions of interest appear to come from students zoned to Western Middle School; she emphasized the need to analyze whether the transfers would create unintended consequences such as classroom overcrowding or changes to racial balance. "Almost all of these, not all, but almost all of them are coming from Western," Jones said, and she said staff will model impacts and report back before the board acts.

Board members asked whether the survey constitutes a commitment; Jones clarified it was an expression of interest only and not a binding enrollment change. Members asked the superintendent to provide data on where applicants live, projected classroom and staffing effects, and whether limiting eligibility by sending school would be legally permissible; Jones said she would consult the district attorney and return with the requested analysis.

No vote was taken; the item will return after staff completes the impact review.