Formal discussions about the district’s elementary school attendance zones are underway as part of a K-5 Enrollment and Capacity Study.

Consultants from Tyler Technologies are leading the study along with a committee that includes nearly 30 parents, faculty, staff and administrators. Committee members will provide the consultants with suggestions and feedback to help guide the study as it is developed throughout the fall. The aim is to ensure enrollment at all five district elementary schools (Eagle, Elsmere, Glenmont, Hamagrael and Slingerlands) is balanced, equitable, and sustainable. 

Superintendent Jody Monroe outlined a plan for the study in May, highlighting enrollment trends at the district’s five elementary schools that have affected the distribution of K-5 students within the district. Over the past 10 years, Eagle and Glenmont have experienced steady enrollment growth and are now at or near capacity. In contrast, Elsmere, Hamagrael, and Slingerlands have seen double-digit enrollment declines during the same period, leading to underutilized classrooms.

At its first full meeting on Sept. 10, the enrollment zones committee agreed that the study and any resulting recommendations should prioritize the following:

• Quality instruction with appropriate class-size targets for grades K-5
• Access to special programming (special education, ENL, etc.)
• Minimal student disruption from any necessary boundary change
• Cohesive neighborhoods
• Optimal bus transportation routing and ride times
• Walkability
• Consistent communication and support for families

Tyler Technologies will provide regular updates on the committee’s work at upcoming Board of Education meetings. The first update will be at the Sept. 17 Board of Education meeting. The Sept. 17 Board meeting will be held at Eagle Elementary School at 7 p.m. Board meetings are also livestreamed on YouTube.

The committee’s fall/winter timeline includes:

• Sept. 30, 2025: Official 2025-26 district enrollment numbers are made available and will be used to anchor the study and the consultant’s school-by-school capacity modeling.
• Oct-Nov, 2025: The committee will review scenarios with different class-size ranges and boundary impacts. Information will be presented for public feedback.
• Dec 2025-Jan 2026: Recommendations by the committee and Tyler Technologies will be presented to the Board of Education for consideration.