Fulton schools officials will talk about changing elementary school boundaries when they meet in August.
Bartley Elementary has two classrooms per grade, while Bush and McIntire elementary schools each have four. Rebalancing the student population will help the school district become more efficient, Superintendent Jacque Cowherd said.
"We need to realign our boundaries and get our school buildings adjusted, grouping kids by grade level at different schools," Cowherd said. "That's an important factor that decides how we look at our facilities."
Fulton School District officials met Wednesday afternoon to discuss that topic and clarify agenda items and assignments for the school board meeting in August.
"The goal is to position ourselves and see how we're going to move forward," Cowherd said. "We'll regroup Aug. 15."
According to Cowherd, changing the geographical boundaries to reflect the capacity of the elementary schools is an option.
The unbalanced population of the elementary schools has affected enrollment opportunities for students living within Bartley's geographical boundaries. Some of these students are sent elsewhere because of a lack of space.
"We have to balance who is going to what school when they enroll. The board and advisory committee need to look at what that (configuration) would look like," Cowherd added.
Changes won't be in place when students start fall classes Aug. 17.
"I don't see the whole process happening for several months," Cowherd said. "That's a decision the board will have to make at some point."
Cowherd also discussed the need for improvement in communication in the district and the steps needed to make sure the schools are engaged with the community.
"I've asked the principals to define engagement for me and what it means to them," he said. "We're going to push hard the communication at all levels."
Although communication is an area where there could be improvement, Karen Snethen, director of public relations for the district, said the formation of the parent and community advisory committee earlier this year has been a positive sign.
"We had around 25 (parents and community members) at each meeting in the spring. They engaged in conversation and threw out their ideas," she said.
The overall strategic plan for the district, which will be discussed at the August 15 meeting, will likely happen in phases over the next few years, Cowherd said.
"It may be that we phase it in over a period of time. Parts may be completed by the end of December, other parts may take longer," he said. "The state will always require a comprehensive school improvement plan. I think the community engagement, facilities and teacher development need to be broader."