Clovis Unified School District proposes boundary changes

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- A growing population and a new school are causing the Clovis Unified School District to look at changing some school boundaries.

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UPDATE: Clovis Unified School District releases two scenarios for school boundary changes (link)

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This Friday, Clovis Unified is expected to release two maps showing two proposals for boundary changes. It's been 10 years since the district modified school boundaries. Officials say this time, with growing numbers and several schools at capacity, it's time for the adjustments. They are also building a brand-new school on the southeast part of the district.

"On the one hand we have a lot of new growth. On the other hand we also have areas within that same 200 square miles where the population is somewhat flat or declining regards to school age kids," said Kelly Avants with the Clovis Unified School District.

Avants says the district hopes some schools that are underutilized can take in some of the growth. After the maps are released, the district will hold several community meetings to get parents' feedback.

One area that is seeing an impact includes some of Clovis North High School's feeder schools. "The Harlan Ranch area, the Loma Vista and Southeast Urban Village areas of Clovis, the Copper River area, the Millerton Newtown area," said Avants.

One school that could see some changes is Maple Creek Elementary, which right now feeds into two different middle and high schools.

"It was hard. These group of children that were all together were all of a sudden being split up," said parent Brooke Schneider.

Schneider has three children who attend Maple Creek. She says if Maple Creek changes to feed only to Clovis West, she will likely try to move her kids to the Clovis North area.

Some other parents Action News talked to are upset that their home school could change, saying they moved into a neighborhood specifically to attend that school.

A final decision on the new boundaries will be voted on Nov. 18 and go into effect next school year.