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Colonial School District proposes small feeder‑pattern changes affecting about 4% of students
Summary
Administration proposed a 2027–28 elementary feeder‑pattern realignment aimed at reducing long bus rides and redistributing special‑education resources, affecting roughly 328 students (about 4% of district enrollment) and three schools: Eisenberg, Castle Hills and Wilbur.
The Colonial School District presented a recommended feeder‑pattern realignment for the 2027–28 school year at its July 14 meeting that administrators say is intended to reduce travel times for students with individual education plans and expand access to specialized services across neighborhood schools.
Administration said the proposal affects roughly 4% of the district’s student population — approximately 328 students out of about 8,200 — and would change feeder lines for three elementary schools (Eisenberg, Castle Hills and Wilbur). Key moves include reallocating a small "bump out" from Eisenberg to Newcastle Elementary; moving several northern Castle Hills neighborhoods to Cary Downey (so families wouldn’t have to take Highway 95 to reach Castle Hills); and shifting a series of Wilbur-area neighborhoods to Southern to better align distance and access to services. Presenters emphasized these are targeted "tweaks" rather than wholesale realignment and said the plan aims to minimize disruption.
The district described its process: data review, mapping, University of Delaware consultation, community outreach (including an open JotForm feedback portal that garnered roughly 30 responses), and iteration. Administration plans family Q&A sessions at impacted schools in back‑to‑school events, targeted communications to affected families, and a September board approval timeline so the University of Delaware can load mapping tools in time for the November choice window.
Board members and administration discussed pre‑K programming options, capacity impacts at Southern, the possible near‑term capacity rate, and the goal of bringing services closer to students’ homes. The administration said they will refine the recommendation based on feedback and return to the board in September for approval.
