Park Hill School Board Approves New School Boundaries Amid Growing Enrollment

Park Hill School Board Approves New School Boundaries Amid Growing Enrollment

Park Hill, Missouri

On Thursday, the Park Hill School District’s Board of Education reached a unanimous decision to approve a revised redistricting plan designed to accommodate the district’s increasing student enrollment. After six months of deliberations, the final proposal significantly reduced the number of students required to switch schools from the initially anticipated 400 to just 90.

Details of the Plan

The approved boundary plan was shared with families earlier this week but differed from the version that came before the board during the final discussion. Kelly Wachel, the district’s chief communication officer, noted that this new plan required fewer transitions for students slated to change middle schools. The revisions were made in response to substantial feedback from the public, particularly from concerned parents and community members.

Community Engagement

Over the past months, the district’s advisory board developed more than 20 variations of boundary maps and sought the public’s input. According to district guidelines, the focus was on maintaining enrollment and socioeconomic balance, minimizing travel distances for students, and keeping neighborhood groups together. The final boundary map employs a feeder model, preserving the continuity for elementary students as they transition through their K-12 education without splitting them among different middle schools.

Feedback from Parents

Parents from neighborhoods such as Riss Lake, Monticello, and the National areas actively participated in school board meetings, expressing their desire to keep local students together. In contrast, only one parent from the smaller Southeast Elementary School area attended the most recent meeting, raising concerns that their voices were not as influential in the decision-making process.

Aimee Sanita, a single mother of two children enrolled in Park Hill Schools, advocated for her neighborhood via emails and letters, fearing her children would be separated from their peers. Despite her extensive communication efforts, the board voted in favor of the map with little discussion on Thursday. She expressed disappointment, stating that her neighborhood’s smaller population meant fewer voices advocating for the same concerns.

Overcrowding Concerns

The adjustments to the school boundaries were prompted by overcrowding issues facing several elementary schools in the district, especially those in the southern regions, which are nearing their maximum capacities. Some schools have had classes held in academic trailers. According to U.S. Census data, Platte County saw a population increase of nearly 20% from 2010 to 2020, marking it as one of the fastest-growing counties in Missouri. In the same period, Park Hill Schools reported a 47% increase in student population since 2000.

Final Implications

The district’s newest elementary school, Angeline Washington, is anticipated to help meet these rising demands. Each elementary school aims for an enrollment target of 450 students, though they are equipped to handle between 420 to 470 students, which aligns with the new boundaries and prevents overcrowding.

In addition, the board approved “grandfathering” policies, allowing students in their final year at a school—specifically those in 5th, 8th, or 12th grades—to remain at their current school. However, this provision does not extend to siblings, and families will have to arrange transportation for those opting to stay.

Looking Ahead

Parents with children on individualized education plans (IEPs) will have the opportunity to meet with district officials to discuss the best transitional choices for their students. Janice Bolin, a school board member, expressed confidence that families would ultimately be satisfied with their assigned schools.

The Park Hill School District continues to prioritize student welfare amid fluctuating enrollment numbers caused by rapid growth in the community. As the district embarks on these changes, it remains committed to engaging its families in future discussions.