High school boundary recommendations move forward

By Brenda Rader Mross
North Forty News

After analyzing more than 20 scenarios since last fall and allowing the public its say this winter, the Poudre School District boundary steering committee has presented two final high school boundary change maps to the superintendent this spring.

A final decision as to who will go where is expected by the end of May from Jerry Wilson with input from his seven-member cabinet.

Calling Scenarios A1 and B1 similar to each other and to the original four plans presented to the public in February and March, boundary steering committee member Amy Bibbey of Wellington said both are "good, sound scenarios for all four schools."

The new high school boundaries will help balance enrollment numbers as ninth graders enter high schools beginning fall 2009. PSD is transitioning to a new grade configuration that also has sixth graders moving up to middle schools.

Bibbey said while she looks forward to seeing what the superintendent decides, she believes both are "good options."

The main differences are minor, Bibbey reported, and maps can be viewed online at www.psdschools.org. Concerning the northern schools, Bibbey said, the Mountain Vista development near Interstate 25 and the Budweiser brewery, shown as Section 1582 in Scenario A1, has been moved from the Poudre High School area into Fort Collins High School's boundaries.

"That's an area with younger families," Bibbey explained, "so it made sense to make the change now rather than later."

In Scenario B1, Willow Springs or Section 1293--which Bibbey referred to as "a small finger"--is the only neighborhood south of Harmony Road to move from Fossil Ridge territory into Fort Collins High School's boundary area. Students there currently go to Kruse Elementary, Boltz Junior High and FRHS due to crowding at their own neighborhood schools of Bacon Elementary and Preston Junior High. The new plan would give FCHS a true feeder school in Boltz, but the FRHS community remains divided on the issue.

"It makes sense," Bibbey said, "but either way, it's not going to make everyone happy."

Bibbey also said the Linden Lakes Homeowner's Association caught an unintentional modification during the public presentations.

"Without realizing it," Bibbey elaborated, "we considered moving map code 3584 to FCHS, which divided the neighborhood. When area representatives contacted us, they stated they would be willing to go to either FCHS or PHS. What was important to them was that they stay together either way."

Upon further review, Bibbey said, it was decided that it made the most sense to keep Linden Lakes in Poudre's boundary zone.

Both plans show a small neighborhood off Prospect Road--designated as Section 6161--moving from Poudre to Rocky Mountain High School. Since RMHS will not be taking school choice students, Bibbey said, it was a logical change to place it within Rocky's boundaries.

Bibbey said the 23-member committee worked well together and the two maps are a reflection of that. "It was a positive experience," she said.

Next fall, a committee consisting of new and existing members will consider changes in elementary and junior high school boundaries. Those interested in serving on the PSD boundary steering or review committee in fall 2008 should contact their students' school principals.