How Dublin City Schools plans to redraw school boundaries over the next year

Dublin City Schools is one of the fastest-growing school districts in central Ohio.

However, the growth within the school district isn’t equally distributed and new classrooms are under construction, so the district needs to recalculate the neighborhood boundaries for some school buildings.

The school district has hired Cropper GIS, a Columbus-based consultant with expertise in school districts, to help redraw the lines that determine neighborhood schools.

Here’s what to know about the process, who could be affected and how to contribute feedback.

What is the timeline for elementary and middle school redistricting?

The process for redrawing the lines for Dublin elementary and middle schools is underway. Potential scenarios will be presented in October.

Public feedback will be reviewed over the following month, and the boundaries will be finalized in January, according to the district website.

The new boundaries will go in place next fall for the 2025-26 school year.

When will high school redistricting start?

High school redistricting hasn’t been completed since 2006, Superintendent John Marschhausen said at the Aug. 26 board meeting.

The formal process won’t start until early 2025, after the new boundaries for elementary and middle schools are finalized.

The district is working on expanding capacity at Scioto High School, now the smallest in the district by student population, by 500-600 students to accommodate anticipated growth.

The new high school boundaries and the expansion of Scioto High School are expected to be complete and implimented by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Which elementary and middle schools will be affected?

Most of the schools that will likely be affected are in the northwest part of the school district, which expands into Jerome Township.

Boundaries for four elementary schools — Depp, Deer Run, Glacier Ridge and Pinney — as well as four middle schools — Eversole Run, Grizzell, Karrer and Sells — could be redrawn.

Bishop Elementary is slated to open next fall. It was funded in part by a new levy voters approved in November 2023.

The district’s 15 ^th elementary school will be located near Jerome High School.

Can students stay at their current schools?

Elementary and middle school students who are affected by redistricting will not be allowed to stay at their current school, according to the district website.

Marschhausen said at the Aug. 26 school board meeting that the district is also considering limiting intra-district enrollment.

However, he also said that existing high school students would be able to stay at their school to graduate after redistricting is complete.

Which factors will be used?

Matthew Cropper, the founder and president of Cropper GIS, said at an Aug. 27 public information session that the company will be using a data-driven approach and attempt to keep neighborhood boundaries intact.

How can the public provide feedback?

An in-person public feedback session is planned at Jerome High School on Oct. 21.

A survey will also be collected in late October and early November.

awinfrey@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: How Dublin City Schools plans to redraw school boundaries over the next year