Audio: 3 22 2016 Work Session 1

During a Work Session on March 8, 2016, the Board discussed a number of options for a redesign of several middle schools in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS), including an initial proposal to move Frost Sixth-Grade Academy and Valley Preparatory Academy to the Stuart Middle School campus.  

In the intervening time, JCPS staff has engaged in discussions with school leadership, teachers, and staff about the proposal, to gather input and hear questions and concerns. Three community meetings for parents and community members were held to allow families and community members to hear more about the proposal and gather input. Those conversations have informed the development of the more detailed proposal to be discussed at this Work Session.

Purpose of the Proposal

• Improve educational outcomes through  more targeted, research-based, and intentional use of resources
• Enhance teacher capacity to meet the needs of students
• Preserve the Sixth Grade Academy concept
• Provide additional resources to support student academic and social-emotional growth
• Ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars

Outline of Proposed Reconfiguration

• Move Frost Sixth-Grade Academy to the Stuart Middle School campus. All rising sixth grade students would attend a separate, small sixth grade academy (about 434 students).
• Rising seventh grade students currently assigned to Frost and Stuart and rising eighth graders currently assigned to Stuart would attend a separate, small seventh and eighth grade academy on the Stuart campus (2016–17: 643 students/2017–18: 848 students).
• The sixth grade academy and seventh and eighth grade academy would be separate and distinct schools located on the Stuart campus.
• Current seventh graders at Valley Prep, who will be eighth graders next school year, would stay at Valley Prep with their teachers to finish the 2016–17 school year.

More Efficient Use of Resources

• Frost has a capacity of 700 students and a projected enrollment for 2016–17 of 167 (23% utilization, and Stuart has a capacity of 1,500 students and a projected enrollment of 772 (49.5% utilization).
• The reconfiguration and the closure of Frost would save an estimated $425,000 in operating costs annually. Additional funds would be generated through the sale of the Frost building.
• Cost savings through more efficient use of facilities can be redirected to things that improve student outcomes.

Increased Resources Based on Need to Support Students and Teachers across Schools

A fundamental concept of the proposal is to staff and resource the schools based on the needs of student in the schools. 

Final plans for allocation of resources would be determined after school leadership is in place, in consultation with school staff and families. Initial ideas in the proposal include:

• One principal and for each school, and two Assistant Principals for each grade level
• Ten additional teachers to support student academic needs
• Four  Master Teachers providing English/Language Arts and Math support for each grade level
• Increase in Security staff
• One to one technology for all students
• Extended professional development and coaching for teachers
• Summer Bridge and extended learning opportunities for students
• Continuation of 8^th Grade at Valley Prep for 2016–17 for continuity and stability

Based on the initial proposal, after an initial higher level of investment in 2016–17 of $1.74 million to pay for transition and start-up costs, annual recurring expenses would approximately $705,000. Taking into account the $425,000 in cost savings from the closure of the Frost building, net additional investment would be $280,000. Thus, more than 140 teachers and staff and over 1,200 students would receive high levels of support creating the conditions for success at a relatively small net price.

Estimated Additional Investment

An Action Item recommending approval of the proposal will be considered during the Regular Meeting of the Board on the same evening as this Work Session on March 22, 2016.

Submitted by: Dr. Glenn Baete and Dr. Paige Hartstern

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