Board approves pre-K and sixth-grade placement changes; district outlines transportation and truancy supports
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The board approved recommended pre-K and sixth-grade placements designed to cluster sixth-grade programming and better use building capacity; staff confirmed bus transportation will remain available and described tiered truancy interventions, including Tier 3 meetings involving legal and social services partners.
Murfreesboro City Schools presented proposed changes to pre-K placements and sixth-grade clustering for the 2026–27 school year and the board approved the staff recommendation Feb. 24. Dr. Duke said the changes are intended to "ensure sixth grade students are provided with appropriate instructional programming, while maintaining adequate and efficient use of building space." Staff shared survey results used to inform the decision: 24 current fifth-graders at Salem expressed intent to remain for sixth grade; 11 would remain if the program moved to Cason Lane. For Mitchell Nelson, staff reported a 32% family response rate with 10 current fifth-graders indicating intent to stay.
Dr. Duke spelled out where sixth-grade clusters will be hosted, saying the district will "continue to have a sixth grade cluster at Black Fox" and at Bradley, Cason Lane (serving Cason/Overall Creek/Scales/Salem), Discovery School/Hobgood, John Pittard (serving John Pittard and Irma Siegel students), and Northfield (serving Northfield and Mitchell Nelson students). When asked about transportation, district staff confirmed, "Bus transportation is still available for any fifth grader who likes to stay in a cluster for sixth grade."
Separately, the board received an enrollment and attendance report. The district reported a modest enrollment increase (five students) and an average daily attendance around 91.9% (rounded to 92%). Mister Rocha explained the district—9s tiered truancy process: Tier 1 universal supports, Tier 2 family meetings and contracts, and Tier 3 multi-agency meetings that can include the assistant city attorney, DCS and juvenile services. He clarified that "truancy is just unexcused" and becomes a legal truancy matter at 10 unexcused days, while chronic absenteeism counts excused and unexcused absences together.
The board approved the placements and heard that staff will communicate details to families and provide transportation information as affected students are enrolled.