NATOMAS-
Parents at Bannon Creek and Jefferson Elementary schools attended community forums held by the Natomas Unified School District to discuss future overcrowding issues.
These are the first two of 10 forums the district will host until the end of the month.
For the last several years, Natomas schools have seen a dramatic increase in enrollment. With the building moratorium expected to be lifted in a few months, that will likely increase even more.
“This moratorium resents whats is a wonderful challenge, which is how do we continue to expand programs that are like our IB and college and career pathways, but build to make sure we can handle that large capacity that look like it’s coming our way,” Natomas Unified School District Superintendent Chris Evans said.
The district predicts an increase of 7,000 to 10,000 additional students in the next ten years, about 4,000 of that coming from newly developed homes. With the way things are now, the district is expecting major overcrowding. So to accommodate, they are hosting forums at every elementary and middle school to inform students of their plan.
The first two occurred at Bannon Creek and Jefferson Elementary Schools.
The first option is to shift sixth graders to roomier middle schools. This would change the format to a K-5, 6-8. This option applies to both Bannon Creek and Jefferson. Some parents are already concerned. Cassandra Smith has two sons at Bannon Creek.
“Personally, I would like to have them stay here on campus, expanding the schools with the portables would be ideal for them,” she said. “e live in the neighborhood and his brother goes here, so I really hate for them to split up.”
But for 7th grader, Jesus Mendez, that would mean he and his 5th grade brother Abraham could go to the same school. Jesus now attends Natomas Middle School, while his brother attends Jefferson elementary.
“It makes me feel good because if he ever gets bullied, I can help him out,” Jesus said.
In an online survey of around 600 area parents, this idea was quite popular.
“They’re [the 6th graders are] going to see a whole new world of electives which we put in our middle schools a few years ago. Art, athletics open up to them, that currently don’t exist to the same degree at our elementary schools,” Evans said.
The second option is to shift school boundaries. This will only apply to five area schools, including Jefferson. This will affect new future students, which include Kindergarteners, and new enrollees after June 1st.
The third option is to build portables. The entire expansion project is expected to cost $250 to $350 million dollars. This will cover building new campuses, and modernizing current ones. Last November, 72% of voters approved a $129 million bond that would start the building. Portables would be built until permanent buildings are constructed with that money.
More parent-district staff meetings are scheduled at every school until Jan. 20. Staff will gather opinions from parents until they submit a recommendation to the District Board of Trustee at the end of the month. If everything goes smoothly, ground breaking for new permanent construction could begin as early as fall 2016.
