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Merced board leans toward two‑phase plan to move sixth graders to middle schools
Summary
District staff presented four boundary-adjustment scenarios and said the committee is leaning toward a two-phase plan that shifts elementary boundaries in 2025–26 and moves sixth graders to middle schools in 2026–27; demographer estimates suggest up to about 1,200 students could be affected under broader maps.
District facilities staff presented a suite of boundary-adjustment scenarios on Dec. 17 that would reshape school assignments and potentially move sixth graders into middle schools.
Brian Bane, director of facilities, described four options: a targeted 'cookie-cutter' redistribution that keeps sixth grade at elementary campuses; a single-year districtwide change that would move sixth graders immediately; a two‑phase approach that would adjust elementary boundaries in 2025–26 and transition sixth graders in 2026–27 (the committee's preferred option); and a flip of the phased sequence. Bane said demographers estimate some map options could impact about 1,230 students, while other, smaller map adjustments would affect fewer students but increase travel time for some.
Board members asked about community outreach and transportation analysis. Staff said the boundary-adjustment committee has met five times since September, a Dec. 3 community meeting drew roughly 15 parents, and the district plans further regional outreach and detailed transport studies. Bane said the district aims for bus routes no longer than 45 minutes to an hour where possible, but some current routes run up to 75–90 minutes one way under existing boundaries.
Trustees discussed timing and community input: the board targeted the first meeting in February 2025 for preliminary decisions but several trustees cautioned that more community engagement and final maps are needed before any final vote. Bane said the committee is "very, very much leaning toward recommending Scenario 3" but that maps and data remain preliminary.
If approved, the changes would alter enrollment balances, reduce elementary populations in some schools and increase middle-school utilization; Rivera Middle School was flagged as likely to exceed capacity under some scenarios. Staff also noted projected housing growth in North Merced could add additional students over the next five years, informing long-term facility planning.
The board did not take a final vote on boundaries at the Dec. 17 meeting; staff will return with refined maps, transportation analysis and additional community outreach.
