Boundary Questions and Answers
1. How does the computer lab and equipment compare between SW and CV?
The computer labs at both schools are equipped with the same number of computers and other equipment. They were both installed at the same time and for all purposes are the same labs.
2. Would staff members be transferring from Cherry Valley to Stillwater Elementary because of the boundary change?
It is very possible that some staff members would transfer to SW because of the staffing needs at each school. I can't provide a number because it would depend on teacher retirements, transfer requests and the need for teachers in specific grades.
3. How will student placement in classrooms be handled and will information from the current teacher be shared with the new teacher?
The method will be very similar to what is currently being done, with present teachers providing information to assist in the best placement for the children.
4. Is there any way that the district could take into consideration the amount of time, care and commitment that certain families have given to Cherry Valley with regards to "grandfathering" children to remain at CV? For ex., families that have spent years building rapport with staff through volunteerism?
This would be extremely difficult to determine. The committee felt that the fairest way to "grandfather" students was as recommended which permits the present 4th graders to remain for their 5th grade year rather than place a child in a position to be in three schools in three years.
5. If the recommended boundary change is approved, how will variances be handled?
The parents of present 4th graders who wish to remain at CV for next year will be required to submit requests for variances. The deadline hasn't been set but will be in time to permit the principals to plan for 5th grade class sizes for next school year.
6. Since presumed growth in Duvall hasn't been approved yet and land hasn't been incorporated into the city limits, could a gradual boundary change occur over the next few years?
The projected enrollment does not include future developments which haven't yet been approved or property not yet incorporated into Duvall. If future developments are approved or additional property incorporated into Duvall, our enrollment projections would be higher.
Our projections are based on developments which have homes currently under construction or site development being performed in 2005. They also do not include 461 home sites that the city has identified for future developments.
Could a gradual boundary change occur?
A gradual change would be difficult and would most likely create a new boundary every year or two to balance the building enrollment and class size at the two schools.
The committee is recommending a boundary change which we hope can be in place for five years. The boundary could remain in effect longer depending on the 461 future sites in Duvall, the effect of the sewer moratorium which will be lifted this year and future developments being approved by the city.
7. How were the enrollment projections developed?
We moved the current student enrollment through K-5 and anticipated that the future kindergarten numbers would remain at the level of 2004. In reality, the CV K numbers could be higher as supported by additional growth during the school year. For example, CV has increased by 14 students since September. In addition, CV gained 3 students in each grade (K, 1 & 2) in February.
In addition, we used the City of Duvall projections for the number of children per home and the data on the number of new homes to either be constructed or have site construction during 2005 in Duvall.
8. Could all families in the affected area be given the choice on which school to attend?
In all likelihood families would choose to remain at their present schools which would not address the disparity of building enrollment and class sizes between the schools. Cherry Valley can not handle the future growth within their boundaries due to lack of classrooms.
9. Could the new families who move into the affected area automatically enroll at Stillwater rather than the district change the boundary?
New families purchasing existing homes are not causing the enrollment disparity. Having new families attend Stillwater would have only a small effect on balancing the enrollments and class size between the schools. The disparities are due to the recently developed and new developments being constructed in the CV boundary area. The future developments will create even further disparity.
In addition, transportation costs would increase significantly if children are transported from the same area to two elementary schools.
10. Could portable classrooms be placed at CV during the interim time of transition?
Adding portable classrooms at CV does not address the disparity of enrollment and class size between SW & CV. They would also increase the enrollment and affect the already high student numbers in physical education, music, library, lunch, etc.
We have studied additional portable classrooms for CV. A few portable classrooms could be added with city approval but space is limited for their placement due to access requirements for fire and rescue. Portables would greatly affect the already limited parking and drop off space at CV. In addition, there are currently no funds available for purchasing portables.
11. What are the transportation costs to implement the recommended boundary change?
There is no increase in transportation costs with the recommended boundary change. Actually a small savings is projected.
12. What is the number of children presently attending Cherry Valley Elementary on waivers?
There presently are twenty-eight students attending on waivers.
13. Could the siblings of the present 4th graders be considered for "grandfathering" be allowed to attend Cherry Valley for one year?
The boundary committee will be discussing this possibility and making a recommendation to the School Board.
14. Can a student waiver into Stillwater Elementary School ? For example, students living on the west side of 275th .
The boundary committee will be discussing this possibility and making a recommendation to the School Board.
15. Why does the boundary change need to be made so quickly? Cherry Valley has only experienced significant growth one time. Since many of the affected students won't be moving to Duvall until 2006-2007, why can't the committee wait and study the actual figures?
There are a number of reasons for the recommended boundary change. First, even before this year's increase in enrollment, Cherry Valley and Stillwater were experiencing a disparity in building enrollment and class sizes. Second, the 2004-2005 enrollment increase simply escalated the situation. Third, the vast majority of our increase at the beginning of the school year was in kindergarten signaling future large kindergartens. Fourth, registration for this year's kindergarteners identified a much larger number of siblings entering CV in future years. Fifth, CV continued to increase enrollment throughout the school year especially in kindergarten, first and second grades. Sixth, due to increased enrollment at CV the music room was converted to a classroom and the stage to the music room. No space is available for additional classrooms at CV. Seventh, the Duvall comprehensive plan projects increased enrollment for CV as the developments are constructed this year. Eighth, safety is a concern at CV with increased enrollment creating further transportation problems for buses and parents as children on transported to and from school. Ninth, Stillwater has available classrooms and smaller class sizes to address the overcrowding at CV.
16. Has the district considered the option of making one elementary K-2 and the other grades 3-5?
Yes, the district has considered grade level schools such as a K-2 and a 3-5. The costs would increase considerably for transportation. This configuration would require the purchase of an estimated twelve buses at a cost of approximately $1,080,000. In addition, the increased costs for drivers, fuel, etc. would be approximately $160,000.
17. Rather than move current developments, why not designate new developments to attend Stillwater?
Simply moving the new developments to Stillwater does not address the current disparity between building enrollment and class sizes. Also transporting future students from the new developments throughout Duvall will increase transportation costs by requiring additional buses at a cost of approximately $90,000 per bus and about $26,000 per route for driver and mileage.
18. What consequences will this projected growth create for the middle school population in three to five years?
The Tolt Middle School is projected to have less students over the next three to five years than are presently enrolled. The enrollment increase is in Cherry Valley while the rest of the district has not experienced growth. Also three of our five largest classes in the district are presently at TMS.
19. If a new K-8 school is built in the future near Cedarcrest, will the boundary lines be changed again?
As the district continues to grow, boundary line changes are probably inevitable to balance building enrollment and class sizes. If a new school is constructed within the next five to ten years, it is realistic to assume that boundary lines will need to be adjusted.
There are many factors which will affect our future growth such as the Duvall sewer moratorium being lifted this year, possible annexation of property into city boundaries, the Carnation sewer installation and future construction, etc.
20. Why not allow waiver requests to be accepted by Cherry Valley and Stillwater when only a few families will apply for waivers?
We believe that a majority of the families would apply for waivers. This would continue to cause the two schools to have a large difference in building enrollments and class sizes between the two schools.
21. Are there any sports little leagues that would be affected by the boundary change, perhaps taking kids from a specific area?
We have been informed that youth leagues within the boundaries of the Riverview School District are not organized by what school they attend.
Boundary Committee Recommendation to the Riverview School Board - February 8, 2005