Administrators recommend year of planning before moving 4th grade back to elementary

Board discussion about a possible shift of 4th grade to the elementary campus centered on space constraints, special-education impacts and the need to avoid rushing a disruptive move.

The superintendent presented a floor plan and said administrators could execute a move if the board directed it, but urged a cautious approach. "So if the board feels really strongly and they wanna direct us to do it for next year, we can do that," the Superintendent said, recommending the district take the next year to "thoughtfully plan what that move would look like and see what the numbers kinda settle out." The presentation noted a potential new 0.25 kindergarten class that could require repurposing the staff room, and that moving the 4th grade would eliminate at least one specialized classroom currently used for behavior or life-skills instruction.

Board members expressed support for returning 4th grade to the elementary setting on pedagogical grounds but emphasized practical issues. One board member said parents had told them they "would rather their kids stay" in the younger-grade campus and that smaller, vertically aligned cohorts help instruction. The superintendent and administrators agreed to meet with Morgan and John to assess classroom availability, staff support needs and student services and to return later with a viability recommendation; the board may choose to vote at the June meeting whether to direct an accelerated timeline.

Next steps: administrators will meet with building leads to finalize space plans, report back with a recommended timeline, and present any staffing or classroom adjustments needed before the board takes formal action.