Dear Northwest Parents/Guardians:
Northwest Local School District has begun a redistricting study in order to develop a plan to address the current imbalance in school enrollment in our schools. This study is not a result of the failure of our bond issue but the need to remedy the overcrowding in some of our schools.
The district has contracted with Cropper GIS Consulting, a company that specializes in school realignment, GIS mapping and analysis. Representatives from GIS and district administrators are hosting a virtual meeting to share an overview of the redistricting process and timeline on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. This meeting will be recorded and shared on our district website.
Here is the link to join the meeting: https://croppermap.com/nwlsd/publicinfosession1.
After this initial meeting explaining the process, there will be opportunities for parent feedback. First, through a Google form that will be shared via email and on our website. Parents will also have an opportunity to learn more about the plan and view the new proposed school boundaries at an in-person meeting on December 13. At the December meeting, a gallery featuring the DRAFT district boundary options will be displayed for parents to view and provide feedback. The December presentation and maps will be shared with parents after the meeting.
A special website with background, details of the planning process, and an interactive map will be posted by the end of November which will allow parents to see what the proposed redistricting will look like for the 2023-2024 school year.
After the information and feedback opportunities in November and December, the consultants and the district’s internal planning team will finalize the plan to share with the Board of Education in February. The Board is expected to vote on the plan in February to implement for the 2023-2024 school year. See the summary of the timeline below.
Proposed Redistricting Process and Timeline
Data Collection & Analysis | October - November 2022 |
Internal Team Planning Work (GIS Consultant/District Team) | October 2022 - January 2023 |
Public Information Session #1 (Virtual Meeting) | November 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. |
Google Feedback Form Shared and Redistricting Webpage Posted | November 17, 2022 |
Public Information Session #2 | December 13, 2022 - 5:00-7:00 p.m. |
Presentation to the Board of Education | February 2023 |
Board of Education Votes on Redistricting Plan | February 2023 |
Please know that we will communicate and engage our parents through this process. We value your feedback.
Sincerely,
Darrell Yater
Superintendent