Provision allows fourth-graders to remain at current school

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — The Mankato Area School Board approved the proposed attendance boundaries for the district’s new Rosa Parks Elementary during Monday’s regular meeting.

But board members also decided to approve a so-called “grandfather” provision that would allow this year’s fourth-graders — who otherwise would have been moved to a different school because of boundary alterations — to continue the 2010-11 school year at their current school.

After fifth-grade, west-side Mankato students already transition to Garfield Elementary for sixth grade while east-side students transition to Franklin Elementary for sixth grade. After that, students move to either Dakota Meadows Middle School or Mankato East Junior High.

Supt. Sheri Allen said district officials proposed the grandfather provision to minimize stressful school changes.

“That was something that came out of our communication with parents,” Allen said. “We want to help families make smooth transitions.”

District officials proposed the new attendance boundaries earlier this year. A letter was sent home to all families affected by the boundary changes in September; and in October, the School Board hosted a public hearing where dozens of parents attended to voice loyalty to their current schools and express concern about the impacts of the boundary shifts.

Some parents at that meeting inquired about the possibility of attendance exceptions, which would allow a student to attend a school outside of their attendance area.

During Monday’s meeting, board members decided to continue to allow attendance exceptions under the district’s current policy, which allows exceptions for: day care purposes, mid-year address changes and for students who need to change schools for a specific educational program or setting.

The district will consider all attendance exceptions in December and January (applications can be obtained at individual school buildings).

“We’ll continue to talk with parents as we work through the details,” Allen said.

The attendance boundaries have not changed since their unveiling earlier this year and were accepted by the School Board as follows:

n Rosa Parks Elementary boundary will include the area south of Stadium Road and south of Highway 83, formerly the Washington Elementary attendance area;

n Eagle Lake Elementary boundary will expand to the west, running north-south along County Road 186;

n Kennedy Elementary boundary will contract, with students from the Highland Park area near the Minnesota State University campus and those residing west of Monks Avenue transferring to Washington Elementary;

n Franklin Elementary boundary will contract, with students living north of Industrial Road and east of Highway 22 transferring to Washington;

n Washington Elementary boundary will be reduced by Rosa Parks Elementary, but will also expand slightly to include Kennedy students near the MSU campus and some rural Franklin students.