Eden Prairie Parents Protest Boundary Lines

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Dozens of parents in Eden Prairie don’t want the district to go through with plans to redraw school boundary lines.

The school board wants to redraw district lines in order to balance out crowded schools, make room for a sixth elementary school and flatten economic differences. Superintendent Melissa Krull explains this is something the district has wanted to do for years.

“Mainly we are trying to use all the space in all our schools efficiently and well. We have room in our northern schools and crowded schools in the south,’ says Krull.

The district wants to change its four kindergartens through fourth grade schools to K-6. Oak Point Intermediate School, which is currently a fifth and sixth grade school, will become a K-4 and a Spanish immersion school. Because the district is adding a 6th elementary they need to redraw district lines.

Krull says this also gives the district a chance to spread out the diversity. Currently Forest Hills Elementary has more kids who qualify for the free school lunch program than anywhere else in the district.
Krull says “As we think about the demographics in our school we have one school with a high population of low income children and children of color and we are looking to balance our schools and integrate our schools all at the same time.”

But several parents say the district is going about the change all wrong. Tom Hopper says “the think tanks do show if you move kids into an environment into more middle income students their performance will improve, but they claim there is no adverse effect on other kids. I don’t think they are being truthful. I think the data shows very much the opposite. If anything the behavior problems increase academic performance slow... and all they are doing is cover up performance issues at one school rather than address them as they should be. “

Several parents are already considering moving their children out of the district because they say schools in Minnetonka and Chanhassen will be closer then the school they will be reassigned to in Eden Prairie. “Just the simple fact that I have 2 schools within a mile of my house and now they are gong to take me a 6 mile bus ride,” says Carlston “it just doesn't make any sense to me.

Link to the current district map and the proposed district map.
http://www3.edenpr.org/public/documents/ContinuedExcellence/BoundaryFeedback.aspx

Parents are concerned the proposed redistricting will rip apart their neighborhoods. Scott Ruthford says his son can currently walk just three blocks to his Cedar Ridge Elementary school. Under the new plan Ruthford’s son will be bused four miles across town to Oak Point.

“Its just too disruptive for kids, “ says Ruthford. “I know none of the parents I talk to are opposed to any sort of diversity. Their stated goal this time around is to achieve income diversity... I mean how ridiculous is that?”

There are still a few chances to voice your opinions and concerns before the superintendent makes her final decision. Input Meetings are scheduled for:

Input Schedule Meeting:
Week of October 4
October 7 Morning Session 9-10:30 a.m. ASC Board Room

Week of October 11
October 12 Morning Session 8-9:30 a.m. ASC Board Room

Week of October 18
October 18 Evening Session 6:30 – 8 p.m. ASC Board Room
October 20 Afternoon Session 4-5:30 p.m. ASC Board Room

Week of October 25
October 25 Afternoon Session 4-5:30 p.m. ASC Board Room Somali Community
Morning Session 8-9:30 a.m. ASC Board Room Latino Community
* The Administrative Services Center (ASC) is located at 8100 School Road.