Last month, during the Dec. 12, 2024, Board of Education meeting, Spencer-Van Etten Central School District engaged in an in-depth discussion on potential grade reconfiguration options. The discussion, facilitated by educational consultants Castallo & Silky LLC, aimed to evaluate whether restructuring the district’s current grade organization could provide educational, financial, and logistical benefits for students, staff, and the community.
The current grade structure, consisting of PreK-4, 5-8, and 9-12, is one of several options reviewed during the meeting. This configuration was compared to various alternative structures to determine whether adjustments could better align with declining enrollment trends, facility conditions, and the district’s goals to maximize resources effectively.
Proposed Grade Reconfiguration Options
Six potential grade configurations were presented for consideration:
Option 1: Maintain the current PreK-4, 5-8, and 9-12 structure.
Option 2: PreK-2, 3-6, and 7-12.
Option 3: PreK-3, 4-6, and 7-12.
Option 4: PreK-3, 4-7, and 8-12.
Option 5: PreK-4, 5-7, and 8-12.
Option 6: PreK-5, 6-9, and 10-12.
Each option was analyzed for feasibility—whether the district’s existing space and resources could support the change—and desirability, focusing on educational soundness and fiscal responsibility.
Key Considerations
The discussion also addressed several factors critical to evaluating these options, including:
Enrollment Trends: The district has observed a decline in student enrollment, which directly impacts space utilization and planning.
Facility Conditions: The current capacity and conditions of district buildings play a key role in determining how space can be used effectively.
Transportation: Potential changes in bus routes, travel times, and logistical planning were factored into the analysis.
Financial Implications: Adjustments to grade configurations must be cost-effective and fiscally sustainable for the district.
Student Impact: The importance of maintaining developmental groupings, reducing unnecessary transitions, and optimizing learning environments for all students.
While researchers agree there is no universally “best” way to configure grades, they emphasize that success depends on how changes are implemented. The district’s goal is to ensure that any reconfiguration will enhance educational opportunities while maintaining alignment with community needs and resources.
Next Steps
The district will continue to monitor enrollments annually, gather data, and seek input from stakeholders, including parents, staff, and community members, to determine if any changes to grade configuration are necessary. Updates will be provided as the evaluation process progresses.
At this time, the Board of Education and district leadership have determined that no immediate action will be taken regarding grade reconfiguration. District Leaders are aware of what data points to monitor and consider should enrollments continue to decline or if the district faces severe financial distress, which may require a reevaluation of our grade configuration. However, we are pleased to announce that current conditions do not warrant any changes.
The Board of Education and district leadership are committed to transparency and ensuring any decisions made reflect the best interests of the Spencer-Van Etten school community.
For more information or to provide input on the grade reconfiguration study, please contact the district office.