Elementary School Boundary Redesign
Our Core Commitments
Throughout this process, we are guided by these non-negotiable commitments:
Student experience comes first. Every decision must support equitable access to high-quality learning and programming.
Maintain community schools. Neighborhood schools will remain central to our planning to support family connections and community identity.
No increased costs to the district. Boundary changes will be designed within our current fiscal framework.
Family and staff stability. We will minimize disruptions for students, families, and staff whenever possible.
Family and staff stability. We will minimize disruptions for students, families, and staff whenever possible.
Proposed 2026-27 Boundary Maps
Find Your Proposed 26-27 Boundary Here by Inserting Your Address
Insert your address in the interactive map.
Boundaries Redesign Process for Elementary Schools
For the first time in more than two decades, St. Cloud Area School District is considering elementary school boundary changes. At the Board of Education meeting on August 6, Superintendent Laurie Putnam outlined the process for reviewing elementary attendance boundaries. Uneven enrollment, preschool expansion and growth across the 250-square-mile district have left some schools overcrowded while others are underused. Putnam described a transparent, data-driven process for creating solutions.
A design team of 10–12 district, building, and union leaders will analyze enrollment projections, city growth and development plans, building instructional capacities, and program access to create possible solutions. A larger input team of about 40–50 staff, families, community members and administrators will then help refine options. Information about the process, options being considered and a feedback form will be available on our district website. The superintendent emphasized that stakeholder participation is critical: whether through the input team, online feedback, or in-person meetings.
Putnam stressed the goal is to create attendance zones that maximize access to schools and programs, streamline transportation and costs, and make the best use of district facilities while considering staff and program placement. A final recommendation will go to the Board for a vote in December.
Aug. 6, 2025: Presentation to the Board of Education proposing an elementary school boundary redesign.
Nov. 14, 2025: Updated Plan for Elementary Boundaries & Program Placement
Dec. 3, 2025: Presented recommended plan at the School Board Work Session.
Share Your Voice
Nov. 5, 2025
We want to hear from you. Please join us for a Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday, November 5 at 5 p.m. to learn more about the process and share your feedback. We will review the data driving our decisions, the considerations listed above, the proposed boundary changes and new facility utilization and capacity, and discuss impact on middle school enrollment.
- Google Meet Link
- Submit Questions in Advance
- Presentation
Nov. 10, 2025
A community discussion with language support in Somali and Spanish about possible changes to elementary school attendance areas will be hosted at a virtual town hall on November 10 from 4:30 - 6 p.m. The link to join will be posted here.
School Site Virtual Meetings
As part of our ongoing work to plan for the future of St. Cloud Area Schools, we are hosting virtual community meetings for each elementary school to review proposed elementary boundary changes.
These school-specific meetings will provide:
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An overview of the proposed boundary adjustments
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Information on how changes may impact your school community
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An opportunity to ask questions and share feedback
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Support and guidance for families as you consider what this means for your student(s)
We recognize how important school communities are to families, and we want to ensure you have clear information and time to engage with us as decisions are considered. We will have Somali and Spanish interpretation available at each meeting.
ELEMENTARY Sites Boundary Redesign Presentations
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SITE |
ENGLISH |
SOMALI |
SPANSIH |
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Westwood |
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Talahi |
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Lincoln |
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Clearview |
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Madison |
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Oak Hill |
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Discovery |
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Kennedy |
Key Decisions Under Consideration
While no final decisions have been made, the following concepts are being actively studied and discussed:
- Lincoln and Talahi elementary schools return to PK–5 configurations to support early learning expansion, balanced enrollment and geographic growth.
- Spanish Immersion remains at Westwood and Clearview
- Chinese Immersion remains at Madison Elementary, continuing its strong program and community connections.
- Overall boundary adjustments to move students outward from the city center to better balance enrollment and relieve overcrowding as we plan for the coming decades of growth and movement
These considerations reflect early analysis and community input to date, and all changes would go into effect for the 2026-2027 school year.