Reimagining plan outlines enrollment decline, staffing reshuffle and program changes

The board received a multi-part presentation on a district "reimagining" plan that addresses declining enrollment, staffing changes and program priorities for 2026–27. Staff reported that enrollment peaked at 5,795 in 2018–19, is currently reported at about 5,046, and is projected at 4,926 for next year; presenters said the decline drives staffing, state aid and program decisions.

Acting Superintendent Andrea Oates Parchment introduced the reimagining team and asked staff to present narrower portions of the plan to parents. "We have a team... and this team was wonderful," she said, describing the group's work to prepare building-level information and a one-page handout for parents. Presenters described changes including shared assistant-principal assignments at some elementary schools, reductions in dedicated elementary-level world-language teachers in favor of self-paced units, and a return to some mixed-grade bilingual classrooms where enrollment warrants. Staff said the high school will offer full bilingual ELA next year for the first time in many years, and emphasized that core instructional programming will be maintained where possible despite the fiscal crisis.

The reimagining team announced parent meetings and information distribution: a one-page handout to be released by June 30 and building-level parent meetings beginning July 21 (Jackson), July 22 (Fairmount), July 23 (high school), July 27 (Parker) and other dates to follow. Laura Martin, the reimagining team lead, said the committee will provide building-level, actionable information to parents this summer.