What is the School Boundary Realignment Committee (SBRC)?

With the passing of the Hermiston School Bond on November 4, 2008, the community has chosen to replace 3 of the most aged schools in the District. In response to the burgeoning enrollment growth, commensurate with the recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Panel and Long Range Facility Planning Committee, the replacement schools will be larger facilities with the ability to handle increased capacity to alleviate overcrowded conditions at the remaining campuses. With an anticipated opening for the fall of 2011, the Board of Directors felt necessary to begin the review of school boundaries in the winter of 2009 to allow for community input, thoughtful study, and preparatory time to allow for the adjustment process.

To ensure a thorough review, the Board of Education established a “School Boundary Realignment Committee,” comprised of 4 elementary parents, 4 middle school parents, 2 members of the business community, 2 school board representatives, and necessary administrative and support staff to review and recommend new boundaries for the elementary and middle school campuses. Following is the Board adopted charge for the committee:

Charge: With the completion of three replacement schools expected in the fall of 2011, the Board requires a stakeholder review and recommendation as to the re-alignment of elementary and middle school boundaries across the District. The committee will meet at least quarterly and keep minutes of the proceedings. The Committee’s final recommendation should be presented to the BOE by January 15, 2011. The BOE charges the committee to use the following criteria in developing their recommendations:

• Review capacity and program limitations of each elementary and middle school campus
• Consider current and projected student population growth across the Hermiston School District attendance area
• Maximize neighborhood school attendance
• Maximize transportation efficiencies
• Where possible, balance socio-economic and ethnic representation
• Create a feeder elementary school approach where practical
• Honor historical attendance boundaries when appropriate
• Establish a system to offer opportunities, when practical, to permit students to continue attending their current school should boundary re-alignments affect their attendance area school

Authority: The committee will have no independent authority to obligate district funds or issue directions to the district’s administration. The committee’s recommendations will be used to inform program decisions made by the Superintendent and/or BOE.

Staff Cooperation: The committee is to be granted access to reports, information, and documents pertinent to their investigation. Staff members and service providers shall also be made available to the committee upon request. The committee will work directly with the Assistant Superintendent of Support Services who will make necessary resources and staff available to the committee.

Duration of Charge: "The committee will sunset following completion of its final report to the BOE."

Committee Appointments: Committee members will be appointed to their position and will remain active unless their status as a resident parent of the Hermiston School District changes, they do not fulfill their commitment as a member as determined by the Superintendent, or they resign from the Committee. Members will be appointed by the Superintendent, in consultation with district Administration.

Membership

Elementary Parents(4)

• Lori Spencer-WPES
• Shilo Ray-DVES
• Kelly Schwirse-HHES
• Phillip Ferguson-SES

Middle School Parents(4)

• Diana Hall-ALMS
• David Caldwell-SMS
• Tamra Mabbott-SMS
• Holly Lambert-ALMS

Business/Community Representatives(2)

• Robert Schaefer
• Thomas Ditton

Board Members(2)

• Vice Chair Don Rankin
• Dr. Dave Drotzmann

Meeting Schedule and Minutes

Agendas and minutes are made available online in Adobe PDF format. Acrobat Reader is required to open the documents and is available as a free download from Adobe's Website.

SBRC News & Links

• Click here to review the new school boundaries, maps, and waiver/transfer information 
• Public invited to Boundary Realignment Committee presentation
• District Seeks Applicants (11/04/09)
• View current school boundaries