School District Votes to Expand Choice Zone

The following is a letter from Lower Merion School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher McGinley.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The LMSD Board of School Directors voted on Monday night to approve a plan to expand the high school choice zone as a means to address increasing enrollment in our high schools. As you may be aware, school district enrollment has increased 15% in the past five years and is running slightly ahead of projections for this school year. Last year, the Board of School Directors approved classroom expansion projects to accommodate growth at the elementary and middle school levels. The Board’s vote on Monday will assist us in further planning for the impact of enrollment growth at the high school level and should enable us to remain within capacity on both campuses without the need for new construction. The plan will, however, necessitate the renovation and use of classroom space in the “A” building on the Lower Merion High School campus. The District is using parts of the building for administrative office space, but there are up to 21 classrooms that could be repurposed for high school use.

By providing high school choice for additional students from Welsh Valley to attend Lower Merion for high school, we can help keep Harriton’s enrollment from rising above capacity (around 1400 students) and gradually increase enrollment at LMHS to make use of the capacity available in the “A” building. The Board’s vote expands the high school choice area to the same boundaries that existed prior to the 2009 redistricting. This decision impacts parts of the Welsh Valley attendance area that include sections of Ardmore, Penn Valley and Narberth. Approximately 50 current eighth graders live within these areas. The choice area will be effective for the incoming ninth grade class for the 2014-15 school year. Click here for a map that shows the expanded choice area in green (identified as “206 choice area”). It is important to note that we have the capacity to handle projected increases at both schools for next year in our existing high school facilities. We do not plan to use classroom space in the “A” building next fall.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue planning for the expanded choice area and enrollment growth at the high schools. Key considerations in this planning process include ensuring high-quality, equivalent programs at both high schools, easing student transitions, identifying facility and transportation needs, addressing parking and traffic concerns and minimizing costs. We will work closely with our staff, parents, students and community groups to achieve positive outcomes for all stakeholders. Please stay tuned for additional communications in the near future about this process. Specific information will be provided to middle school families eligible for high school selection. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please email them to transitions@lmsd.org.

Thank you for your patience and support during this process. While enrollment growth will continue to present certain challenges in coming years, we look forward to refocusing our attention squarely on student needs and school programs.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday.

Christopher McGinley, Ed.D.
Superintendent