On December 18, the Wayzata School Board approved attendance area changes to address capacity issues, with a 4-2 vote. Dan Ginestra, Sheila Prior, Heidi Nader, and Sarah Johansen supported the measure, while Paras Bhende and Valentina Eyres opposed it, seeking more time to study the issue. Chair Milind Sohoni was absent.
The changes, based on the latest “Concept 9” proposal, will go into effect at the start of the 2025-26 school year. Acknowledging the significant impact on local families, the board expressed gratitude for the community’s patience, feedback, and engagement throughout the adjustment process.
Westin Ridge concerns moving from Northwoods to Meadowridge
The Westin Ridge neighborhood, situated near both Northwoods Elementary and Meadowridge Elementary in the northwestern part of the district, saw many residents voicing their support for remaining at Northwoods.
Adam McBride, a Westin Ridge resident and parent of two Northwoods Elementary students, presented a heartfelt proposal at a recent meeting, urging decision-makers to reconsider planned boundary changes that would move students from his neighborhood to Meadow Ridge Elementary.
McBride pointed out that Northwoods is projected to remain under capacity for the next decade, making it feasible to keep Westin Ridge students in their current school. “There’s capacity at the school. We want to stay there. This would minimize even less of our students,” he said.
He emphasized that his proposal would have minimal impact on the broader community, involving only a small boundary adjustment. “We’re literally on the border of Meadow Ridge and Northwoods, and I just want us to stay and remain intact where we are,” McBride explained, noting that the plan would avoid creating isolated student groups or altering transportation routes.
Highlighting the principle of minimizing disruption, McBride urged the board to consider his suggestion as a straightforward solution that respects the stability of the community.
Westin Ridge resident Derek Schover voiced frustration, emphasizing concerns about the transparency of the process that led to the proposed changes affecting his neighborhood. “I found out a week ago that this was happening—that’s just not a very transparent process,” Schover said, noting that he had yet to receive a response to his emails seeking clarification.
Schover, a parent of a kindergartner, expressed unease about the potential for multiple school moves, citing his own experience with similar disruptions. “Staring down potentially two more moves is just really hard to stomach,” he added, urging the decision-makers to carefully consider the impact on Westin Ridge families.
Keisha Sedlechak, a parent of two Northwoods students and a resident of Westin Ridge, addressed the school board to share her concerns about capacity issues and upcoming school transitions. While she supported Adam’s proposal, she focused on two additional points.
First, she highlighted the need for transparency, noting that Westin Ridge residents were previously informed about a potential move due to planned new schools, likely within three to five years. She requested that the board verbalize and publicize these considerations.
Second, she emphasized the necessity of enhanced transition support for students affected by school changes. Citing her own child’s anxiety, she stated that both school-provided and private resources are currently inadequate. Sedlechak criticized the framing of these transitions as “networking exercises” for college preparation, calling it “an insult” and urging the district to allocate additional staff and resources to support students during these challenging transitions.
Recommendation from the District
After the public remarks, Wayzata School District Superintendent Chace Anderson discussed the process of reviewing and potentially modifying attendance areas for elementary and middle schools for the 2025-2026 school year. He highlighted that feedback from parents, staff, and the input team has been incorporated into the evolving concepts. “Feedback has been received from parents and staff during this process and has been considered in the refinement of the evolving concepts,” Anderson stated. He also outlined the proposed open enrollment and inter-district transfer procedures, ensuring alignment with state laws and district protocols. Anderson recommended approving the proposed changes, which would take effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
School Board Discussion
Paras Bhende, a school board member, expressed a request for additional time to review recent changes and community concerns. He emphasized that he wasn’t seeking major alterations or setting expectations for different outcomes but felt it was prudent to allow a couple of weeks for further consideration.
“My ask would be to at least consider a couple more weeks just to look at are there any other opportunities to bring that percentage further down,” Bhende stated, adding that a special meeting could be scheduled if feasible.
School board member Dan Ginestra expressed gratitude for the community’s engagement and praised the district and TeamWorks for their efforts, calling the process “data-driven” and effective. He highlighted his own smooth transition between Kimberly Lane Elementary and Central Middle School as a student, sharing his personal positive experience with the program. Ginestra acknowledged the emotional weight of decisions affecting families, particularly children, but stated, “I’m proud of our process, and I will be voting yes.”
Valentina Eyres expressed concern about the pace of decision-making, noting that while significant work has been done, she feels the process is moving too quickly. She highlighted the late consideration of a particular neighborhood and remarked, “I feel like we’re being rushed. It would be nice to take a couple more weeks and look through what else can be done.” Eyres also emphasized the need to revise language related to fourth graders, stating, “I would not feel comfortable unless the language about fourth graders is being changed.”
Sheila Prior expressed her support for the original motion, emphasizing that the proposal, though not perfect, has been thoroughly deliberated and needs to move forward to address capacity issues before the next school year. She acknowledged the difficulties some families may face, stating, “I do want to say that I’m sorry. And I hope things end up being not as bad as you’re expecting.” Prior also shared her own experience with moving schools as student in the district, noting, “Having to adapt to each new school has had a positive impact on who I am today,” and expressed hope that the transition would be smoother for affected students. She concluded by reiterating her support for the proposal, appreciating the community’s feedback.
Confirming School Assignments
Families can confirm their updated school assignments using the district’s Attendance Area Lookup Tool, accessible on the Attendance Area Adjustment Concepts & Address Lookup webpage. Formal confirmation letters will be distributed to families in late January or early February 2025.
Transition Support
The district plans to assist families in navigating these changes with a comprehensive transition guide, set to be released early next year. This guide will provide tips, resources, and information about intradistrict transfer opportunities. Additional support will include welcoming events hosted by schools in the spring to help students and families adjust to their new communities.
Rationale Behind the Changes
The attendance area adjustments are intended to address overcrowding in some schools while making better use of underutilized facilities. The district’s growing student population and increasing demand for specialized services have highlighted the need for balanced enrollment across all schools.
The approved plan incorporates “pocket boundaries,” which allow for flexibility in managing future enrollment growth. These changes are designed as a fiscally responsible solution that optimizes the use of existing facilities while the district explores the possibility of constructing new schools to accommodate its expanding population.
Continuity Options for Students
To ease the transition, the district has outlined continuity options for certain groups of students:
- Middle School Students: Current 6th graders transitioning to East Middle School in 2024-25 may remain at East, with transportation provided by the district. Current 6th and 7th graders affected by the changes can apply for an intradistrict transfer to stay at their current school, though transportation will need to be arranged by families.
- Elementary Students: Intradistrict transfers for current 4th graders and other elementary students will be limited due to space and logistical constraints.
Impact on Special Groups
- Open Enrollment Students: Current open-enrolled students will remain in their existing schools for the 2025-26 school year. Current 5th graders in this group will transition to the designated middle school with their peers.
- Wayzata Kids Participants: Families enrolled in the Wayzata Kids childcare program will retain their current family status at their new school locations.
Looking Ahead
With the adjustments finalized, the district’s focus now shifts to ensuring a smooth transition for all affected families.
The following are the neighborhoods affected by the recommended boundary changes:
- Area North of Highway 55 between Pinto Dr. and Medina Entertainment Center: Move to North Woods/Central Middle School from Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Area South of 394 – East of 494 – West of Plymouth Road: Move to Birchview/Central Middle School from Sunset Hill/East Middle School.
(Bird Song, Briarcliff, Crowne Hill, Dalmatian Ridge, Emerald Ridge, Enghausers Deaverdale, Emerald Woods, Essex Hills, Fairfield Acres, Hammer Estates, Hill Ridge, Lorence Woods, Oakland Woods, Oakland Knoll, Oakland Estates, Oak Woods, Platwood, Preston Woods, Stone Road, Westernesse, White Birch Hills, and Woodhaven) - Cimarron Ponds: Move to Birchview/Central Middle School from Gleason Lake/West Middle School.
- Cranberry Ridge: Move to Kimberly Lane/Central Middle School from Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Elm Creek Highlands: Will move to Kimberly Lane/Central Middle School from Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Marsh Pointe: All students will now go to Greenwood/West Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Gleason Lake/West Middle School and Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Meadow View: All students will now go to Greenwood/West Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Gleason Lake/West Middle School and Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Medina Clydesdale Townhomes: Move to North Woods/Central Middle School from Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Ravinia: All students will now go to North Woods/Central Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Oakwood/North Woods and Central Middle School/West Middle School.
- Reserve at Medina: Move to North Woods/Central Middle School from Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Tavera: All students will now go to Kimberly Lane/Central Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Oakwood/West Middle School and North Woods/Central Middle School.
- Villas at Medina: Move to North Woods/Central Middle School from Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Walcott Glen: All students will now go to North Woods/Central Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Oakwood/West Middle School and North Woods/Central Middle School.
- Westin Ridge: Move to Meadow Ridge/Central Middle School from North Woods/Central Middle School.
- Weston Woods: All students will now go to Greenwood/West Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Gleason Lake/West Middle School and Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Woods of Medina: All students will now go to North Woods/Central Middle School. Was a split neighborhood at Gleason Lake/West Middle School and Greenwood/West Middle School.
- Zanzibar: Move to Birchview/Central Middle School from Gleason Lake/West Middle School.
- Zinal: Move to Birchview/Central Middle School from Gleason Lake/West Middle School.
The following elementary schools will go to the middle schools indicated below:
- Gleason Lake, Greenwood, and Oakwood: West Middle School.
- Birchview, Kimberly Lane, Meadow Ridge, and North Woods: Central Middle School.
- Plymouth Creek and Sunset Hill: East Middle School.
