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Wethersfield officials: redistricting to begin this summer; enrollment studies will guide least‑invasive plans
Summary
Superintendent Jeff Whitby and the project team told residents that redistricting will start with a demographic and enrollment study this summer, that multiple studies will be used to avoid under‑ or over‑building, and that the district will seek to minimize moves and consider limited family choice to reduce impacts on siblings.
WETHERSFIELD — School officials told residents at a public information session that the district will begin a formal redistricting process this summer, starting with an up‑to‑date population and enrollment study to guide boundary changes tied to the multi‑year construction program.
"Redistricting is going to commence this summer," Superintendent Jeff Whitby said, describing the demographic study as the first of multiple enrollment snapshots the district will use to plan neighborhood boundaries and transitions.
Officials said the study will be followed by focus groups and community engagement, and that draft redistricting plans will be brought to the board of education for feedback and approval. The district’s stated priorities are to use the least invasive strategies, minimize the number of student moves, and preserve neighborhood schools where possible.
Whitby and the project team answered common parental concerns about siblings and incoming kindergarteners. They said the district will consider strategies such as slowing kindergarten enrollment at certain sites or offering limited family choice so parents with multiple children can keep siblings together during transition years.
For sequencing, officials said the new High Crest will initially host the entire High Crest K–6 population for about a year while Web is renovated and reconfigured as the fifth–sixth grade STEAM academy. After Web’s renovation, fifth and sixth graders districtwide will move into the academy and elementary neighborhoods will be rebalanced to a target of about 325 students per rebuilt elementary school.
"We will be seeking your input, your questions, and your lived experiences as parents and community members," Whitby said, stressing that public engagement will shape draft boundaries. He also noted that multiple enrollment studies can reduce the risk of under‑building if population trends change over the life of the project.
The district team said parents should expect ongoing opportunities for input at community listening events, PTA meetings and additional public sessions timed with each school’s design phase. Officials emphasized that the redistricting work is being scheduled now so that construction timelines and building capacities can inform any eventual boundary decisions.
Next procedural steps include publishing the demographic study results, hosting community workshops, and providing draft plans to the board of education for review prior to any final action.
