Q. Is there a set of criteria used to guide the development of elementary school boundaries?

A.   The Boundary Change Steering Committee considers several guiding principles in the development of possible school boundaries. These include (in no particular order): utilize existing school design capacity whenever possible; keep neighborhoods together with contiguous boundaries that avoid gerrymandering and avoid crossing major streets and other barriers; consider neighborhood dynamics; consider transportation needs; consider implications to special programs.

Q. Does drawing attendance boundaries for the new elementary school also include boundaries for the next high school and intermediate school?

A. No. The study now underway is solely for the elementary school to open in August of 2024, and is specific to the Clovis East Area schools.  The process to establish new secondary attendance boundaries will begin in early 2023 and involve opportunities for input from families across the school district.

Q. Who makes the final decision on school boundaries?

A.   The Boundary Change Steering Committee studies possible boundary scenarios before publishing a proposed boundary for community review and input.  After processing feedback from the community, a final proposal is made to the Governing Board for their consideration.  It is then the Governing Board’s role to adopt the official school boundary.

Q. When will an initial boundary proposal be available for review?

A.   Initial boundary proposals are available to review above, with the Governing Board taking action on a final proposal in February 2023. Questions or comments on these proposals can be submitted via the form below.

Q.   What areas will be included in the Fowler/McKinley Elementary Attendance Study?

A.   Existing elementary school attendance boundaries in the Clovis East High School areas will be included in this study.   This study will not include any changes to the existing high school boundaries, but looks at the boundaries of Boris, Reagan, Freedom, Miramonte, Temperance-Kutner, Fancher Creek and Young elementary schools.  

Q. Will high school boundaries be affected?

A.  The study will focus on elementary attendance areas within the existing secondary attendance area for Clovis East High School. It is not anticipated that any changes will be made to those existing secondary boundaries as a result of this study.

Q.   Who serves on the Boundary Change Steering Committee?

A.   The Boundary Change Steering Committee is made of Clovis Unified employees from a variety of schools, and representatives from many district level departments. These include principals, classified staff, plant operations, food service, transportation, business services and others.

Q.  What year will boundary changes resulting from the Fowler/McKinley Attendance Study take effect?

A.  The school site at Fowler and McKinley avenues is already under construction and will open for the start of the 2024-25 school year.  Boundaries adopted for the new school will also take effect at that time.

Q.   Will any review of district-wide boundaries be included in this study?

A.   No. The 198-square mile boundary that defines Clovis Unified School District is not part of the Elementary Attendance Area Study.

Q. How can I communicate questions or comments regarding the Fowler/McKinley Elementary School Attendance Study?

A. Comments on the study can be submitted on this Web site using the comments form, by phone to the District’s Facilities Department at 559-327-9260, or by regular U.S. mail at 1450 Herndon Ave., Clovis, CA 93611, Attention: Mr. Denver Stairs.  

Q.  Why ask families who have established and invested in a particular elementary school to move?

A.   Clovis Unified School District strongly encourages loyalty and support of our neighborhood schools.  The District is fortunate to have active, involved parents who also encourage their children to support the schools they attend.   These successful efforts often become the very reason that families oppose necessary boundary adjustments, given their involvement and loyalty to their neighborhood school.

While understanding of this challenge, the need to address crowded conditions at schools that greatly exceed their capacity requires that boundaries be adjusted.  Clovis Unified makes every effort to proactively plan the opening of new schools in order to avoid situations in which students experience over-crowded conditions that could affect their learning

Q. Will the new school open with a full complement of activities for students?

A.   Clovis Unified School District is committed to providing students with access to multiple opportunities for involvement in athletics, performing arts and other activities when a new school opens.   Every effort will be made to provide resources for students’ involvement in the school’s first year of operation.