Redistricting Plans May Have Some Changes

Acting Superintendent Mary Anne Butler said she is seeking the advice of two experts before moving forward with Groton’s redistricting plans.

Butler said the two experts, whom she did not name, worked most recently on redistricting plans in Bristol, Hamden, Ansonia and Manchester. She said she did not know what their advice would cost, since discussions are preliminary.

But she said they should be able to review plans and provide more information in two to three weeks, and she would notify parents when the redistricting plans were complete.

“I would rather go forward cautiously and correctly,” she told the Board of Education Monday.

Butler also said she has been in contact with the state and learned that for the state department of education, would be on vacation until the end of the month.

The redistricting plans, , are aimed at correcting a racial imbalance at Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School.

Butler said the district is also reviewing how the magnet program at the school is working, and whether changes can be made to draw more students to the school. She said a music program is one possibility being considered.

In terms of middle school consolidation, Butler said Fitch Middle School Principal Robert Pendolphi, who will be moving to Cutler Middle School, is working with teachers and others to craft a schedule that will work best for students. She said an advisory block will be added to the schedule.

Butler said she will provide regular updates to parents, through her briefings to the board, on the school department website on Fridays.

Mayor Heather Bond Somers spoke to the school board Monday to assure them the council hopes to work with them as a team.

“I wanted to stay from the council that you have our full support moving forward,” she said.