In a note to a local resident, Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Edwards explains that trailers are a necessary evil for all schools adjusting to fluctuations in population.

5 years ago redistricting was done on what we only now see was the tail end of a 5 year decline in student enrollment. However since 2003 (with the exception of ’05) the city has seen a steady increase in enrollment. As a result, the entry point of new students (at the elementary level) is beginning to take on more students than it can physically house. That means trailers in the interim while infrastructure can be expanded.

The superintendent’s letter stresses that trailers will not be a permanent solution in Decatur. The school system is already looking at viable options to expand at the K-3 and 4-5 level.

She states “We have just finished another enrollment study and will be using the first part of next year [emphasis mine] to plan for the next steps to accommodate the current students and also to take into account what may happen should annexation plans of the city become a reality.”

None of this sounds that unreasonable to me. Even the best estimates are never dead on. I just think that communication between these groups – neighborhoods/schools/city needs to be improved so that residents don’t feel blind-sided by changes. Hopefully eLife’s new online school TV channel will help solve that problem.

Thanks to Cherie for forwarding the note.