Addressing School Capacity: SCUT prepares for the April 19 School Board Study Session

During our March 28 gathering of the School Capacity and Utilization Task Force, members discussed the critical issue of overcrowding in our schools, mainly focusing on Northwood Elementary and nearby schools. The main goal was to explore practical solutions to tackle the current and future capacity challenges.

During the meeting, task force members narrowed potential solutions to a priority list to share with the school board on Friday, April 19. The discussion began with Northwood Elementary, expected to surpass its capacity next year. Serving grades K-5 in the North Hill region, Northwood Elementary has seen a surge in enrollment since the opening of its new building in Fall 2019, attributed to housing developments and program shifts. Our task force is committed to using available space within North Hill schools to address this issue proactively and minimize disruptions for families.

Potential solutions the task force will present to the board: 

• Boundary Change: After careful evaluation, the task force identified a potential boundary change to take effect in the 2025-2026 school year. This proposal involves adjusting boundaries, shifting approximately 50 students from Northwood Elementary to Mt. View Elementary. The proposed boundary adjustment includes areas of planned new housing that would help minimize impacts to existing students, or:
   
• Program Management: Task force members thoroughly examined existing programs in North Hill elementary schools, notably Quest and Kindergarten Academy. A proposal to relocate the Quest program from Northwood Elementary to Mt. View Elementary would provide an additional three classrooms to accommodate projected enrollment over the next four years.  An option to relocate the single Kindergarten Academy classroom from Mt. View Elementary to Northwood Elementary was also discussed to ensure Mt. View Elementary has sufficient capacity, particularly if enrollment is higher than projected, and;
• Waiver Management: Task force members explored combining waiver management with other solutions, such as boundary changes and program adjustments. This holistic approach maximizes the district's use of resources and space.

As the task force gears up for the upcoming Board Study Session on April 19, 2024, they will be compiling essential materials for presentation. Presentation materials will include detailed reports on current and projected capacity concerns at Northwood Elementary and Mt. View Elementary and summaries of proposed solutions and their potential impacts.

Districtwide, the task force will share a report of schools that are currently experiencing overcrowding or are projected to experience overcrowding within the next four years.  In some cases, annual strategic management of student waivers may be sufficient.  In other cases, additional solution measures, as with the example of Northwood Elementary, may be recommended by the task force.

Task force members considered the future development planned within the district and adjacent to the district boundary, including the Uplands residential project within the Orting School District.  Based on the proximity of the Uplands project, among others, to Puyallup School District schools, the task force anticipates future out-of-district residents will submit waiver applications to attend schools with the Puyallup School District.   The information developed through the work of the task force demonstrates there is not capacity to accommodate these anticipated waiver applications.

The School Capacity and Utilization Task Force remains dedicated to finding workable solutions to address capacity concerns and ensure the best learning environments for all students. Through collaboration and strategic planning, we are confident in overcoming challenges and providing quality education for our community. 

Join us to watch the April 19th School Board Study Session online at School Board - Puyallup School District (puyallupsd.org) 

For more information on past meetings, visit our website at http://puyallupsd.org/scut.