Modesto City Schools seeks public input on boundary shifts

MODESTO -- Modesto City Schools will hold two meetings to gather public input and answer questions about proposed high school boundary changes.

Proposed shifts would not affect students already attending Beyer or Enochs highs, but would shift some incoming freshmen for the 2013-14 school year and thereafter. A final vote is expected at the Feb. 4 Modesto City Schools board meeting.

The two meetings are as follows:

• Tuesday: 6 p.m. in the Enochs High cafeteria, 3201 Sylvan Ave.

• Wednesday: 6 p.m. in the Beyer High cafeteria, 1717 Sylvan Ave.

The district is moving the lines to even out enrollment at four of its high schools. Its campuses range from 2,489 students at Enochs to 1,391 at Davis. Davis' small size makes it a challenge to offer some advanced classes and a wide variety of electives.

In addition, the Sac-Joaquin Section has put forward a plan to split Modesto's single-district Modesto Metro Conference because of enrollment disparities and the challenge it poses for giving every team a sporting chance. The league remake will be voted on later this spring, and with better numbers it might be averted, Gregori Principal Jeff Albritton said.

The district is considering three boundary changes that would shift students:

• From Enochs to Beyer: A portion of the Orchard Elementary School attendance area, south of Floyd Avenue, the west side of Temescal Drive, and the west side of Pantaleo Drive to Oakdale Road

• From Beyer to Davis: All of Agnes Baptist Elementary School attendance area, all of the Woodrow Elementary area and part of the Sherwood Elementary area, west of McHenry Avenue to Prescott Road

• From Enochs to Johansen: All of the Sipherd Elementary School attendance area, south of Briggsmore, north of Laramie, east of Eastridge and west of Claus

For more information, contact Director of Planning and Facilities Support Becky Meredith at (209) 576-4032 or Meredith.B@mcs4kids.com.

On the Net: For meeting information and links to maps of proposed changes and current boundaries, go to https://sites.google.com/a/monet.k12.ca.us/2013-hs-boundary-change.

Bee education reporter Nan Austin can be reached at naustin@modbee.com or (209) 578-2339, and on Twitter, @NanAustin.