Boundary Change Information SY24-25
Family & Community Engagement Night for Grade-Level Boundary Recommendations Followed by Public Hearing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LITCHFIELD PARK (November 17, 2023) The Litchfield Elementary School District (LESD79) will hold a Family and Community Night on November 27, 2023. Simultaneous meetings will be held at Litchfield Elementary School and the LESD79 Support Services Building at 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Additionally, the presentation used for the Family and Community Night is available online with proposed maps, grid code scenarios, Applied Economics Demographer Presentation from April 2023, and an opportunity to provide feedback.
On November 28, the Litchfield Elementary School District Governing Board will hold a public hearing where comments regarding potential boundary and grade-level configuration changes will be received. This meeting will be held at the Litchfield Elementary School cafeteria beginning at 5:30 p.m.
There will be a presentation on options to accommodate growth impacting the westside of the school district at Belen Soto, Verrado, and Verrado Heritage Elementary Schools. All district schools may be impacted to offset and adjust for growth. If the Governing Board chooses to take action in a future Governing Board meeting, new boundary and grade-level configurations may take effect beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.
Information on the initial options, current recommendations, and maps are available on the Litchfield Elementary School District website's Boundary Change Information page.
Changes are being considered for the following reasons:
- To effectively position the western part of the district for projected growth
- To create boundaries for a new LESD79 school (#17)
- To maximize the use of all available facilities
- To use resources efficiently
The goal of the proposed changes is to best utilize classroom space at all schools throughout the district and limit the need for future boundary changes.
Through this process, LESD79 is considering making grade-level configuration adjustments to both L. Thomas Heck Middle School and Palm Valley Elementary School, creating two potential K-8 options on the district's east side. Another solution may include converting Verrado Heritage Elementary School to a K-5, while Verrado Middle School would accommodate all 6-8 grade students from the Verrado community.
The boundary committee would also like to potentially launch a magnet program at L. Thomas Heck K-8 School with opportunities for building leadership and innovative learning for all students. This K-8 boundaryless school may require an application process through open enrollment.
Families and community members are invited to learn more through our video on the LESD79 website or through our Community & Family Engagement Night, where we will have an opportunity for feedback both online and after the meeting on November 27 at either Litchfield Elementary School Cafeteria or Support Services from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. We are seeking feedback on the proposed changes, which will be shared with our Boundary Committee, Administrative Cabinet, and Governing Board.
LESD79 Boundary Feedback Form
Family & Community Engagement Night around Boundaries
- Litchfield Elementary School cafeteria at 255 E. Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.
- Litchfield Elementary School District Support Services training room at 18921 W. Thomas Rd. Building A, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340.
Public Hearing Meeting
A public hearing meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the Litchfield Elementary School Cafeteria, where you can provide public comment regarding the potential boundary and grade level configuration changes. The Litchfield Elementary Cafe is at 255 E. Wigwam Blvd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340. At this public hearing, Litchfield Elementary School District Governing Board members will hear reasons for or against the proposed boundary changes. The public hearing shall not exceed sixty (60) minutes. Proposed attendance boundary changes, including maps, will be visually presented during the public hearing. Time shall be granted for public comments regarding the proposed attendance boundary changes. Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting Kim Kontra at 623-535-6010. Requests should be made 48 hours in advance to arrange the accommodation.
If the Governing Board approves the boundary changes in a future Governing Board meeting, new boundaries may go into effect starting with the 2024-2025 school year.
This notice is provided pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) 38-431.02, and 15-341.37.