FAIRFIELD, CT — Dozens of Fairfield parents Tuesday night again voiced skepticism over the proposals to launch a redistricting effort in the town’s public school system to help achieve more racial balance among its elementary schools.
Essentially, the district is under state mandate to address racial imbalance, primarily at McKinley Elementary, where the percentage of students of color is highest.
Various scenarios have been floated by the district’s consultants, a company named SLAM; earlier this month, the Board of Education asked SLAM to expand upon its “Scenario 4,” which is expected before the end of August.
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“We don’t want to hurt anyone here, but we need help from the town and the state to solve this,” said board Chair Jennifer Jacobsen.
However, several issues are at play for many of the speakers during a Zoom meeting Tuesday night, such as, the impact of redistricting on families that walk to their schools; whether a few students will be impacted or a larger number; should the district create a magnet school to help with racial balance; and will some students be able to remain in their school through “grandfathering.”
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Whatever plan is eventually adopted, it will not take effect until the 2024-25 school year.
No scenario has enthusiastic support from parents or board members, with some parents Tuesday pushing for the district to as little as possible to address racial imbalance, and others questioning the constitutionality of the state’s mandate, in light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
The board does not have another meeting scheduled this summer, but intends to meet on the issue in the early fall, after SLAM presents its fleshed out Scenario 4.
>>Click here to view a recording of Tuesday night’s meeting.
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