Submitted by Katherine McKersie
Following the January 15th Board of Education meeting and the brief discussion on the Open Enrollment Survey regarding an Open Enrollment option at Central Middle School, articles in the local papers have been referencing a long-running conversation regarding Racial Balance and the Greenwich Public Schools, after a few remarks concerning Racial Balance came up during this Open Enrollment BOE discussion.
Previous GPS Boards of Education have had conversations regarding Racial Balance. But this conversation was markedly different. Where were the facts? Where was the data? Where were the numbers? Previous BOE conversations regarding Racial Balance/Imbalance were fact-based.
A concern that WMS might achieve Racial Imbalance with an Open Enrollment option at CMS, or reach “impending imbalance” of Racial Imbalance was mentioned during this BOE meeting, without any specifics.
Speculation about possible, maybe, could be, what-if’s is just that – speculation. And it is unfortunate that this did not enter the conversation prior to the Open Enrollment survey, if this was really a concern.
Racial Balance is truly an important conversation and has been for some time in Greenwich Public Schools. But tossing it into the middle of the Open Enrollment survey conversation without facts to back it up, was disappointing and perplexing. Conflating one with the other is not reasonable nor responsible without data to determine such a claim.
Contrary to the ways in which this issue stirs up emotions, and fears of solutions like re-districting, Greenwich Public Schools, over a number of administrations and Superintendents, including Dr. Jones, has come up with solutions, in consultation with the state, and reasonable, long-term solutions have been the norm.
But most importantly, the 1/15 BOE meeting and subsequent conversations, absent an understanding of Racial Balance/Imbalance, are moving the community’s conversation adrift from the facts.
So, let’s look at some facts.
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What is Racial Balance/Imbalance? What is “impending imbalance?”
In the 1989 case Sheff vs. O’Neill (1989) and the subsequent State of CT Supreme Court decision (1996), it was determined that schools where the minority population is +/- 25 percentage points the district’s overall percentage of minority students, is “out of balance. “Impending imbalance” is +/- 15-20 percentage points.
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Which of the GPS schools are currently in an “impending imbalance” or Racial Imbalance status?
Currently, Julian Curtiss School, Old Greenwich School and Parkway School are in impending status, while Hamilton Avenue and New Lebanon Schools are “out of balance.”
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What does Racial Balance/Imbalance at WMS have to do with Open Enrollment at CMS?
This is unknown, currently, without data. During the BOE meeting, it was mentioned as a possible consequence of Open Enrollment at CMS. But, according to the GPS Enrollment report of 10/25, “All four secondary schools continue to be below the threshold for impending imbalance.” (GPS Enrollment Report, October 23, 2025, page 10.)
For WMS to achieve racial imbalance due to CMS Open Enrollment, 89 students, all white students, would have to leave WMS for Open Enrollment. Also, WMS is the only secondary magnet, but “is not accepting new magnet families due to space and staffing constraints.” (GPS Enrollment report, October 23, 2025, page 12.) And this does not take into account the current mix from 8th graders exiting or 5th graders entering CMS and WMS next year.
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What happens to schools who have “impending” or current Racial Imbalance status?
The CT State Board of Education works closely with districts, like Greenwich, who have schools with this status. Positive solutions have been typical here in Greenwich, with the understanding that long-term well-considered solutions and one high school for all students exist in this district. Despite the tendency that the subject of Racial Imbalance has to stir up emotion, the facts show a positive and long-standing relationship with the State Board of Education that is overwhelmingly focused on long-term solutions. Schools shift in and out of “impending imbalance” status, as ISD did just last year.
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So why did the subject of Racial Imbalance land in the middle of the survey results for Open Enrollment at CMS?
Without specifics regarding data and numbers it is not entirely clear. But superintendents do have a duty to share concerns regarding potential shifts of students. Dr. Jones can share data with the BOE to show her specific concern regarding Racial Imbalance, or “Impending Imbalance.”
So, to sum all of this up: The Board of Education must hear from the District on all aspects of Open Enrollment, positive, as well as potential downsides. How many students expressed interest? What does this mean for CMS? What does this mean for other schools? All of this must be driven by data before a reasonable determination can be made by the Board of Education.
Certainly, the Board of Education has a duty to debate, discuss and decide when it comes to Open Enrollment as an option for Central Middle School next year. But it must be discussed, debated and decided on the merits, and not on speculative maybes and what-ifs.
It is up to the Board of Education, to vote for/against Open Enrollment. But they must vote for the right reasons, vote on the merits, vote on what is best, based on data and hard numbers. Vote for what is best for the students of the Greenwich Public Schools. Public officials must always deal in facts and demand facts. Turn those unknowns into knowns by demanding data.
Racial Balance and Racial Imbalance are determined by numbers, not rumors.
And Racial Balance/Imbalance must not be used to support or condemn an Open Enrollment option, unless the numbers determine it to be so. Members of the Board of Education, please show our students the right way to make sense of complex issues, and lead the way to the outcome of Open Enrollment at CMS, based on facts and reason. Show our community what reasonable discussion looks like and you will, indeed, be leaders.