School Boundary Changes

The district is changing attendance boundaries to ensure that its limited funds are used efficiently. It's more cost-effective to operate schools with a student population that is appropriate for the size of the school building. Saving money on facilities means that more money can be used to support students and staff in other ways.  

Madison, Vandalia and Washington will remain open next year for the 2025-26 school year. They will close in June 2026. The new school boundaries will go into effect for the 2026-27 school year.

Southern Elementary will remain open through the 2026-27 school year or until Allen Jay and Sumner elementaries reopen with larger capacities.  

No. Larger schools also have a larger number of teachers, so going to a school with more students provides similar class sizes but more opportunities for students to benefit from a full range of student supports and enrichment opportunities including music, art, physical education, library media, etc.

In grades K-3, class sizes are set by state law, so class sizes will remain the same no matter what school you attend. There is more flexibility in grades 4 and 5, but our goal is to keep class sizes as low as possible.  

The GCS Human Resources Division will work with them to find suitable roles within the district. 

You may apply for reassignment. The window for reassignment applications is May 1-May 31, and approval is contingent upon space availability. Transportation is not provided. 

Click here to learn more about the GCS School Reassignment Process

Click below and enter your address to see how the changes affect your household. 

2026-27 Locator - English

2026-27 Locator - Español

2027-28 Locator - English

2027-28 Locator - Español

Following a public comment period and public hearing on June 10, 2025, the board approved the boundary changes at its June 10, 2025 meeting.

The Board of Education will consider options and make final decisions on whether to sell or repurpose the buildings and land.