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Editor's Note: School officials are careful to point out that the maps could change before a final version is approved.
A task force is trying to tackle the problem of new high school boundaries in Seattle. The controversial decision could impact thousands of students in Seattle Public Schools.
The group of approximately 20 educators and parents met again Friday and have been working on the boundaries since last April. They are now in the final stretch as the board nears a decision at the end of the month.
The task force has narrowed it down to two proposals based on feedback from the school board which would draw new high school boundaries for the Fall of 2019. That's when Lincoln High School in Wallingford is set to reopen, eventually housing 1,600 students.
On the maps, the sections with diagonal lines represent areas where students could be sent to a different high school in large numbers.
One plan called "Scenario F version 2" moves almost 600 kids from Ballard to Lincoln and another 500 students from Roosevelt to Lincoln.
The task force must consider equity, transportation, highly capable programs, and other factors that make these decisions more complicated.
"It's really hard, and change is hard for people," said Associate Superintendent Flip Herndon. "We do realize that. So what we're trying to do is to make sure we're being thoughtful about the changes in 2019. but also preparing for what is going to happen in the years after that."
Both proposals keep much of the Magnolia and Ballard communities at Ballard High School. Parents from those two neighborhoods have been vocal about maintaining the status quo.
"I'm certainly comforted by that but it's not over yet," said Magnolia parent James Wagar.
But adding another wrinkle, both proposals got plenty of pushback by members of the task force.
"There was a vote by the task force, and they seemed pretty negative about the new maps," said Ballard parent Gael Cooper. "I don't think that's specifically because of the Ballard area, but we could get swept away if they don't like other parts of the new map and throw the baby out with the bathwater."
Herndon said Lincoln High School would likely have only a 9th and 10th grade in the Fall of 2019, which would help mitigate the issue of students having to switch schools their junior or senior year.
The task force will take their recommendations to the school board, which is expected to make a decision by the end of the month.
