The Friends of the Heights formed a Steering Committee May 2007 to research and advise on the issue of proposed school boundary changes that would send Heights elementary age students to a new school in Palm Beach Gardens in the Mirasol area. This school is referred to as O3-X. The Steering Committee reports to the Board of the Friends of the Heights.

The School Board’s Advisory Boundary Committee (ABC) held two meetings in early October to discuss the Mirasol school proposal (Boundary Study X-1, amended). The Community Input meeting was held on October 2^nd at Independence Middle. It was attended by over 80 Heights residents and Town of Jupiter officials. There were 21 speakers that provided community input.

On October 4^th, the ABC held a Committee Meeting at the School Board office to discuss Study X-1 and the community input from October 2^nd. Based on the input from October 2^nd, the ABC voted FOR Study X-2, instead of X-1. Study X-2 does not involve Heights children.

The ABC hosted an additional Community Input meeting for Study X-2 on October 29^th. About 20 people attended from a variety of SACs (communities) effected by Study X-2. There were four parents from the Heights who spoke in support of X-2. The 'theme' of the evening seemed primarily to be safety concerns; one parent from a community south of Donald Ross Rd expressed concern about his child crossing Donald Ross Rd to get to Beacon Cove. We also learned that the new Mirasol school will not have a full time gifted program. A part time program is under consideration.

On 11/1 the ABC held a committee meeting at the School Board office to decide on approving Study X-2. Two of us from the Heights Steering Committee attended. We spoke briefly in suport of Study X-2 (which does NOT include the Heights). The committee discussed that Study X-2 seemed to be the 'safest' for all children, and the plan that works the best for all communities involved. We echoed those points when we briefly spoke. There were no other speakers present to oppose Study X-2. The ABC Committe voted UNANIMOUSLY to APPROVE Study X-2, which is good news for the Heights! The next step is for Study X-2 to go to the Superintendent and then the the School Board in February for final approval. We will continue to monitor this issue through February.

Thanks to all volunteers for making this possible!

For further updates, please visit the Friends of the Heights website at www.heightsofjupiter.com