District proposes elementary program realignment; board asks for detailed plan before summer

Superintendent Tad DeRenzy told the board the district historically hosted three distinct elementary programs across buildings but that program growth and grant funding have created space and service challenges. He proposed restructuring the functional program into two groups (higher-needs and cross-categorical) and relocating programs so Lincoln would house STARS and the functional program, Eastview would serve all Pre-K students, and Westview would host the cross-categorical program.

DeRenzy said the Pre-K program expanded after new state grant funding and that Eastview had absorbed Early Childhood sections when Westview ran out of space. Board members asked for a more detailed plan and data so staff, teachers and the community can be informed before summer; no final decision was recorded at the March 16 meeting.