Redistricting is the redrawing of attendance areas and usually results in shifting students from one school to another. As a result of the District building two new high school facilities of equal size, a plan must be developed that equalizes enrollments at the two high school campuses. Currently, there are 1560 students at Lower Merion High School and 875 students at Harriton. The new facilities will each accommodate about 1250 students. The attendance areas of all ten LMSD schools may change depending on the specifics of the new plan in an effort to balance district-wide enrollments. Currently, there are several elementary schools that are nearing maximum classroom capacity.
The Board formally initiated public conversation about redistricting in March '08. In April '08, the Board approved a multi-stage process for re-districting with the goal of adopting a plan by January '09. The process will include facilitated community engagement; initial plan development; public plan presentation and refinement; and adoption and implementation. The Board also approved a set of "non-negotiables" to be utilized throughout the redistricting process. Non-negotiables are a limited set of parameters that must be a feature of any plan the Board will ultimately accept. The non-negotiables for LMSD redistricting include:
- The enrollment of the two high schools and two middle schools will be equalized.
- Elementary students will be assigned so that the schools are at or under the school capacity.
- The plan may not increase the number of buses required.
- At a minimum, the class of 2010 will have the choice to either follow the redistricting plan or stay at the high school of their previous year.
- Redistricting decisions will be based upon current and expected future needs and not based upon past redistricting outcomes or perceived past promises or agreements.
Updated information about redistricting, including upcoming events and opportunities for public engagement, will be posted on the District website and in regular communications with the community. For more information, please contact redistricting@lmsd.org.
