The review, titled “The Case for Continuous Improvement: A Comprehensive Review of CMS,” is intended to align decision-making in transportation facilities use and funding with the goals of the district’s Strategic Plan 2014: Teaching Our Way to the Top. 

Opinions and suggestions included:

• Following student-assignment guidelines
• The need for a combination of equitable resources and curriculum at all CMS schools
• Clarification and stabilization of school feeder patterns
• Clarifying the process and rules for the district’s student-assignment policy
• Creating an overcrowding policy for schools
• Better criteria and communication established when deciding to close schools
• Clarification of the Board’s definition of diversity
• Addressing the tensions between families who want children to attend neighborhood schools, and the tough choices some families make when those schools are not diverse
• Working on the magnet “brand” – magnet schools may be thought of as elitist by families whose children do not attend magnet schools
• Simplifying the student-assignment process
• Student achievement should be the top concern when drawing boundary lines
• Better consideration for when and where boundary lines are drawn
• Why isn’t academic achievement mentioned in the guiding principles?
• Exceptional children need more specific assignments to address their unique needs
• After an exceptional child is assigned to a school, teachers and other staff should be trained on the best ways to reach those students

The last community meeting will be held on Monday, June 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hopewell High School. Click here for more information on the comprehensive review of the district.