This week the Northshore School District Board of Directors spent several hours wrestling with detailed and difficult plans for addressing continued elementary school enrollment growth and optional state funding for full-day kindergarten in 2016-17.

The board reviewed a total of four options developed by staff. Each option was clearly imperfect with varying levels of positive and negative impacts to students, teachers, families and school communities.

The options reviewed were as complicated as the problems they are intending to solve. In a general sense, two of the options prioritized maintaining current elementary class sizes and relying more heavily upon additional portables and use of alternative spaces such as the leased Northshore Primary Center while the other two options would have increased elementary class sizes as a means of creating needed classroom space and greater opportunities for state funded full-day kindergarten.

In the end, the board could not endorse either of the plans that would increase class sizes, even if just for a year until enrollment relief and capacity for full-day kindergarten in all schools is created in 2017-18 through the opening of North Creek High School, grade reconfiguration and boundary adjustments. The Board has tasked staff with continuing to analyze and refine elements of the two plans that maintain current class sizes and bring a recommendation forward for their consideration in early January, prior to the start of kindergarten registration for 2016-17 on Jan. 19.

The Board identified the following priorities to guide staff in their continued work:

1. Maximize the placement of additional portables where possible to keep students in their neighborhood schools.

2. In the event sufficient portables cannot be placed, utilize the Northshore Primary Center for half-day kindergarten.

3. Utilize any remaining available spaces (e.g. computer labs, daycare rooms, program relocations, etc.) to create needed classrooms.

4. Increase class sizes as a last resort.

We have known for several years that 2016-17 would be our most challenging year responding to continued enrollment growth prior to the longer-term solutions planned for 2017-18. Looking ahead, 2016-17 is proving to be even more challenging than we envisioned two or three years ago. I want to assure you that we have and will continue to explore every available solution. Unfortunately as our enrollment continues to grow, particularly in the north and central regions of the district, our options become more limited.

We are committed to doing all we can to make 2016-17 an outstanding year for all students, staff and families. I continue to deeply appreciate the understanding, resilience and grace of all who are impacted by our current circumstances. I ask you to please maintain your flexibility and resolve to make the best of the less than ideal circumstances we face for one more year.

As my final message for 2015, please accept my warmest wishes for a safe and peaceful holiday season.

Larry Francois is the superintendent for the Northshore School District.