Board approves elementary-school boundary changes affecting about 324 students for 2027–28

The Colonial School Board voted Sept. 8 to approve staff-recommended elementary-school feeder boundary alterations to take effect in the 2027–28 school year. The district presented maps and explained changes affecting multiple schools, telling the board the realignment is intended to support building capacity and reimagined special-education settings.

A staff presenter outlined specific moves: portions of Castle Hills will shift to Carrie Downey and a small area to Pleasantville Elementary; parts of Eisenberg’s east-of-Route‑9 families will move to Newcastle Elementary; and Wilbur’s feeder footprint will shrink with some areas moving to Southern. The presenter said "there were roughly 324 total families impacted" by the proposed changes and noted that number may have fallen slightly due to withdrawals.

Board members asked about community questions and staffing impacts. Staff said they attended back-to-school nights at affected schools and received a small number of family inquiries (5–6 at Wilbur, 3 at Castle Hills, 2 at Eisenberg), with families generally positive and focused on whether school choice would still apply. On staffing, staff said positions would be relocated rather than eliminated and that a staffing plan conversation would begin in December.

Dr. Ken Dorsey moved to approve the elementary boundary alterations as presented, effective for the 2027–28 school year; the motion was seconded and the Chair announced the motion carried by voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript. Staff identified next steps for implementation and outreach to affected families.