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Southbridge plans to curb routine intra-district choice for new elementary students
Summary
The receiver told the committee the district will move away from routine intra-district choice between West Street and Charlton Street elementary schools for new applicants while preserving placements in specialized programs and protections for currently enrolled students.
District leadership told the School Committee on June 16 that the administration plans to stop routine intra-district transfers for new elementary-school applicants between West Street and Charlton Street while continuing to honor specialized-program placements and current students’ progression.
The administration said the current practice had become permissive and sometimes produced a perception of pitting schools against one another. "We are not going to pull the rug out from kids currently enrolled in schools...we just want to move away from the practice with new students," the receiver said, stressing that children already enrolled would continue through their current placement.
Committee members asked whether the matter should go to the policy subcommittee for consideration; the receiver said the subcommittee should review the policy but also signaled administrative intent to implement steps next school year and to notify families individually when they apply. On transportation, the administration said parents who apply for intra-district choice generally assume responsibility for transportation, while the district continues to provide transport for students in specialized programs.
No vote was recorded; members agreed to discuss the policy at the subcommittee and to notify families and the student resource center about changes.
