Greenwich board reviews limited open-enrollment plan for Central Middle School with March window and June sunset
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The board discussed a one-time, limited open-enrollment regulation to let Greenwich residents from Western and Eastern opt into Central Middle School, adding 15 sixth-grade, 15 seventh-grade and 7 eighth-grade seats; the regulation would run through June 30 and use a lottery if oversubscribed.
The Greenwich Board of Education on Feb. 23 considered a draft regulation to reopen limited open enrollment at Central Middle School (CMS) to Greenwich residents, with a second application window scheduled for March 6–April 3 and a built-in sunset of June 30.
Superintendent Dr. Jones framed the regulation as a short-term tool to balance teams across the district while the new Central building opens. Under the draft, the district would add 15 sixth-grade spots, 15 seventh-grade spots and seven eighth-grade spots for students who live in Greenwich but currently attend other middle schools or private schools with Greenwich addresses. If applications exceed available seats, the district said it would hold a lottery on or before April 8.
Board members and public commentators raised practical questions about staffing, scheduling and equity. Multiple parents and PTA representatives told the board the regulation would preserve team-based instruction at CMS and retain teachers who otherwise could be lost to enrollment declines. Dr. Jones said the draft aims to balance team sizes so class sizes and program offerings remain within current regulations and that transportation and orientation arrangements would be made for families who opt in.
Several board members sought clarity on budget and staffing implications. Dr. Jones said staffing decisions will be based on actual enrollments in September and that, if additional teachers are needed, the administration would seek to reallocate funds or request adjustments as required. Board members also confirmed the regulation applies only to Greenwich residents, including those in private schools with a Greenwich address.
The draft regulation would allow the board to evaluate the open-enrollment pilot when it sunsets on June 30 and determine whether to continue, adjust or end the practice. No vote on the regulation was taken at the meeting; the board discussed next steps and signaled general support for moving forward with the public posting and the second enrollment period.