Capacity challenges at the intermediate and junior high levels, combined with changing neighborhood densities, are making it difficult to draw new attendance boundaries for Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools.

Assistant Superintendent Bryan Rausch told the HSE School Board Wednesday night that these factors are complicating efforts to assign students to their closest or adjacent schools.

Andrew Bishop of Woolpert Consulting, the firm hired to assist with the redistricting process, reviewed details of the proposed maps with the board. During public comment, several parents criticized the proposals, saying their neighborhoods were not being treated fairly under the draft plan.

In response to board questions, Bishop noted that some neighborhoods could be reassigned without affecting other parts of the map, depending on available capacity at certain schools.

District data show a trend of more school-age children in the eastern part of the district and fewer in the west, creating an imbalance in building capacity.

To ease the transition, HSE plans to allow a “grandfathering” option for current 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade students. Those students may remain at their current schools for 4th, 6th, and 8th grade, respectively, if parents provide transportation and if space is available.

Bishop said the proposed plan is designed to serve the district’s needs for about seven years.

The school board is expected to give final approval to the new attendance boundaries in December. The changes would take effect beginning with the 2026–2027 school year.

You can view the proposed maps and the presentation by Bishop before the board at this link.