Carmel Clay Schools has released three options for redistricting elementary and middle school students. All Carmel residents — not just families with students in the district — are encouraged to learn more and share feedback online.
Residents may enter their address at myschoollocation.com/carmelclayschools/ to see where their home fits into each option. They can click here to see the scenarios and statistical information, and they can see a video presentation explaining the process here.
After learning about the scenarios, residents are encouraged to take a survey to submit feedback on the options. The survey will close at 8 a.m. Nov. 9.
The options were created by planning firm Cooperative Strategies and revised after focus group meetings with parents, educators and community members.
CCS will hold community meetings Nov. 4 and 5 to provide information and receive feedback on the redistricting options. A ticket to the meeting may be requested by Nov. 2 by following a link in the survey. The meetings at the Carmel High School auditorium will be limited to 150 attendees to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.
A single recommended option, which may be revised from the current options based on community feedback, is expected to be presented to the school board on Nov. 23, with a final vote set for Dec. 14.
Previously, the school board approved four guiding principles for the redistricting process. They are to:
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Assign students to their closest school
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Balance school facilities relative to capacity, taking into consideration a demographic study that predicts areas of student population growth and decline
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Keep neighborhoods and subdivisions intact
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Transition entire elementary schools to the same middle school
The redistricting process is necessitated by the addition of Clay Center Elementary, which will open in the fall of 2021. It replaces Orchard Park Elementary, which is 5 miles away and will close after the 2020-21 school year.