Overcrowding forces kids to attend schools in different towns

LOWELL, Mass. — Many families in Lowell are upset because their children are being forced to attend schools out of district due to overcrowding issues.

FOX25 met one family who lives so close to a school in Lowell that their children could walk, but instead they have to drive their children to another town.

“My children live a three minute walk from there, and they're unable to go to the school,” said parent Derek Quirbach.

Quirbach and his wife Kerri attended James Daley Middle School when they were children, but now their children have to go to school in Chelmsford.

Part of the issue involves the children of the Lowell school employees. If an employee lives in another city, their children are still allowed to enroll in Lowell schools.

“The out of district students, the children of teachers, are taking all the spots in the middle school of preference,” Quirbach told FOX25.

Lowell city councilor Rodney Elliott told FOX25 the practice has been in place for years, but it is not a formal written school policy. He is now calling for the school committee to create an actual policy that addresses the issue and protects Lowell residents.

“I do think it is unfair to the parents who want to send their kids to a school. They're not being allowed to do that. We need to bring some fairness,” Elliott said.

School committee member Robert Gignac told FOX25 they will now review the practice for the next school year.

In the meantime, they are not allowing any students into the school system if they do not live in Lowell. However, any student currently enrolled will be allowed to stay.

For the Quirbachs, paying taxes for a school their children cannot attend adds insult to injury,

“Our hopes were that our children would go to the same middle school we remembered fondly, but unfortunately it was just a hope,” Quirbach said.

The issue comes as the Lowell School District looks to eliminate 21 staff positions because of budget cuts, including some teachers.

Cox Media Group