Overcrowding has taken its toll at schools in southeast Chandler. Santan Elementary School could not offer full-day kindergarten this year because there weren’t enough classrooms.
And seven classrooms of Weinberg Elementary School sixth-graders had to move to Payne Junior High School due to lack of space.
But relief is in sight. Four planned elementary schools are set to relieve overcrowding at Santan, Weinberg and other schools in the Chandler Unified School District’s southeastern vicinity.
Before that can happen, new attendance boundaries have to be created.
Chandler Unified School District Superintendent Camille Casteel will present boundary proposals in the southeast area at a study session tonight.
“Our overall goal is to try not to move families multiple times,” Casteel said. “It’s a real challenge when you’re growing rapidly and building new schools.”
Five elementary schools in the district currently serve 1,000 students or more.
Fulton Elementary School, near Alma School and Chandler Heights roads, and Riggs Elementary School, near Recker and Riggs roads, are scheduled to open for the 2007-08 school year. And two yet unnamed elementary schools are expected to open for the 2008-09 school year near Lindsay and Ocotillo roads and Greenfield and Riggs roads.
Under the proposals, some students within Santan and Jacobson elementary school boundaries would go to Fulton. And some students in the Weinberg and Ryan boundaries could be sent to new schools in the Adora Trails and Layton Lakes developments.
The district will host two community forums and present the feedback to board members at its regular meeting Dec. 20. School board members will vote on the boundaries in late January.
Dates and locations for the forums are:
• 6:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at Santan Elementary School, 1550 E. Chandler Heights Road
• 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at Basha Elementary School, 3535 S. Basha Road
Board meeting
Chandler Unified School District governing board meeting
When: Study session 6 p.m. today
Where: Chandler district office, 1525 W. Frye Road
Topic of interest: School boundaries for Fulton and Riggs elementary schools and two planned elementary schools
More information: www.chandle.k12.az.us to view boundary proposals or call (480) 812-7000
