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Janesville School Board to discuss attendance boundaries

JANESVILLE — Who chooses the people who draw attendance boundaries for Janesville schools?

School board policies don't say.

The Janesville School Board is scheduled to begin discussion of the question Tuesday.

Board member Gregory Ardrey said the board's first responsibility is evaluating the policy for selecting members for the boundary line committee. As it reads now, the policy does not specify who selects seven residents who work with an administrator to evaluate the district's enrollment and facilities.

Ardrey said he believes the committee also should be required to report back to the board through the Buildings and Grounds Committee rather than report directly to the superintendent as the rule advises.

"The main drive for that change is making sure there is enough input from all citizens and the board represents all our citizens," he said.

The boundary line committee has been inactive for years, said Cheryl Miller, public information specialist for the district.

But the potential for declining enrollment at Janesville schools might make it necessary to reactive the committee.

If a committee is formed, work on evaluating boundaries would begin with the collection population data. Information about births, enrollment and home sales could be used to determine if boundary changes are needed, Ardrey said.

"The whole concept behind boundary lines is to place our schools where the kids are at and create equal environments in each building," he said. "Maybe things have changed since the last time we did this, maybe not."