Jefferson County
May 11, 2021 6:00 PM
Special Meeting
I. Call to Order
Rationale

This meeting will be conducted via video-teleconference pursuant to KRS 61.823 and KRS 61.826. The primary location for this meeting and where all members can be seen and heard by the public will be Stewart Auditorium, VanHoose Education Center. Members are permitted to attend in-person or via video-teleconference pursuant to KRS 61.826. The agenda is attached.

In light of the Governor having declared a state of emergency within the Commonwealth on March 6, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and in compliance with guidance issued by the Executive Branch on March 12 and 16, 2020, regarding the conduct of meetings of state boards and commissions during the emergency period, public attendance at this meeting is permitted, however please be advised that COVID-related mitigation efforts will require a severely reduced seating capacity in Stewart Auditorium to ensure social distancing.  As a result, all interested members of the public are strongly encouraged to participate by video-teleconference, which will be available for live public viewing at the following link: JCBE MEETING VIDEO.  All members can be seen and heard by viewing this live link.

Until meeting room capacity returns to normal, members of the public will have the opportunity to voice opinions or express concerns by submitting remarks via email. Remarks should be limited to 500 words or less and sent to the Assistant Secretary to the Board (angela.gilpin@jefferson.kyschools.us) for dissemination purposes prior to the meeting. Public remarks will be shared with each Board member and recorded in the Official Minutes.

Attachments
II. Superintendent's Report
Rationale

In addition to the Superintendent’s regular report, there is an attachment with a set of administrative procedures for review in order to support the District's focus on organizational coherence.

Attachments
III. Action Items
III.A. Recommendation for Approval to Combine Roosevelt-Perry Elementary with Wheatley Elementary and Relocate the Grace James Academy to the Current Roosevelt Perry Location Beginning in August 2021
Rationale

Combining Wheatley and Roosevelt-Perry for 2021-22 School Year

Under this proposal, the previously planned combination of Wheatley Elementary and Roosevelt-Perry Elementary will be accelerated to begin in August 2021. The combined schools would be located at the current Wheatley Elementary site until the completion of the new state-of-the-art school at 18th and Broadway by late 2022/early 2023. 

Bringing students and staff together beginning in the 2021-2022 school year at the Wheatley location will allow the new school community to come together to create a culture and climate of support and learning. The combined school will receive increased resources to meet student needs in line with the new approach to school funding envisioned in the JCPS Future State.

Planned additional support includes for the combined Wheatley Elementary include adding additional positions to support students. Staff will be encouraged to move to Wheatley Elementary to build a unified team to support students.

Moving Grace M. James Academy to Roosevelt-Perry Facility

The Grace M. James Academy of Excellence is currently temporarily housed in the DuValle Education Center, sharing space with early childhood programs, and that building is close to full capacity. Moving the Grace M. James Academy to the Roosevelt-Perry site will allow the school to grow because the Roosevelt-Perry site has a capacity of 609 students for middle school.

The new location will provide space for growth into a 6th to 8th grade middle school and will allow full implementation of the many facets of the innovative and rigorous curriculum and programming that is Afrocentric, gender-specific, and STEAM-focused. The Grace M. James Academy will be able to thrive and fulfill its CROWN Values: Collaboration, Resilience, Originality, Willingness, and Narrative. At a later date, a plan to expand the academy to a 6th to 12th grade school, housed in a new, appropriately sized facility, will be brought to the Board for consideration.

Submitted by: Dr. Carmen Coleman and Robert Moore

Attachments
Recommended Motion

Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education approve accelerating the combination of Roosevelt-Perry Elementary and Wheatley Elementary to be housed at the current Wheatley Elementary location, closing Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School, and relocating the Grace James Academy to the current Roosevelt-Perry location beginning in August 2021.

Actions Taken

Order #2021-75 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education approve accelerating the combination of Roosevelt-Perry Elementary and Wheatley Elementary to be housed at the current Wheatley Elementary location, closing Roosevelt-Perry Elementary School, and relocating the Grace James Academy to the current Roosevelt-Perry location beginning in August 2021. The recommendation passed with a motion by Dr. Corrie Shull and a second by Ms. Diane Porter.

III.B. Recommendation to Approve the Expansion and Transformation of Jefferson County High School to Serve Students in Grades 6 to 12 Beginning in August 2021, to be renamed the Pathfinder School of Innovation
Rationale

The NTI year showed that, for a certain set of students, full-time virtual learning is an excellent pathway for academic success. Moreover, educators have deepened their understanding and pedagogy regarding how to use technology to create authentic and engaging learning experiences for students. The District proposes to expand and re-envision Jefferson County High School (JCHS) into a cutting edge, rigorous, first-option virtual school for grades 6 to 12. 

Student Access, Learning Opportunities, and Supports 

  • Current full-time JCHS and e-School students will automatically transition to the Pathfinder School of Innovation, and staff will work with each student to ensure course completion and graduation according to their original plan and method of study.
  • Open registration will be available for new students for the 2021-22 school year through the completion of a transfer application.
  • Students will be enrolled only in the Pathfinder School of Innovation, and have access to an engaging, challenging, and culturally responsive curriculum.
  • Technology – devices will be provided to students for those who need them.
  • Students will not attend virtually for the entire school day – there will be a structured schedule for synchronous and asynchronous learning.
  • Students will be able to receive Special Education services and English as a Second Language (ESL) services.
  • Staff will provide supports to meet the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students.
  • A limited bank of Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses will be provided during 2021-22, with a more robust CTE strategy to be implemented in the future.
  • Electives will be offered but may be facilitated differently than a typical classroom setting.
  • Students will be required to report to a physical location to participate in District, state, and federally-required assessments.
  • Extracurricular virtual clubs will be available, but the school will not have interscholastic athletics.
  • Students will not be able to participate in activities/athletics at their previous or resides school; they will be fully enrolled at the Pathfinder School of Innovation.

Considerations for Staff

  • Current JCHS and e-School teachers and staff will automatically transition to the Pathfinder School of Innovation.
  • The District will work with union partners to address staffing plans.
  • Staffing needs will be determined by June 2021.
  • Professional development and support will be provided to address cultural competence, implicit bias, and racial trauma for teachers and staff.
  • Staff will work to build a culture of shared learning, inclusion, and community through student and family engagement.

New Name

In accordance with Board policy and procedures for the renaming of schools, whereby stakeholders and school community members are consulted for input, the Superintendent is recommending that Jefferson County High School be renamed the Pathfinder School of Innovation.

Submitted by: Dr. Carmen Coleman and Robert Moore

Attachments
Recommended Motion

Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education approve the creation of a virtual school to expand and transform Jefferson County High School to serve students grades 6 to 12 beginning in August 2021, to be renamed the Pathfinder School of Innovation.

Actions Taken

Order #2021-76 - Motion Passed:  Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education approve the creation of a virtual school to expand and transform Jefferson County High School to serve students grades 6 to 12 beginning in August 2021, to be renamed the Pathfinder School of Innovation. The recommendation passed with a motion by Mrs. Linda Duncan and a second by Ms. Sarah McIntosh.

IV. Consent Calendar
Recommended Motion

Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education approve the consent calendar for May 11, 2021.

Actions Taken

Order #2021-77 - Motion Passed:  A motion that the Board of Education accept $725,000 from the Kentucky Department of Education and authorize the superintendent to sign the attached contract passed with a motion by Mr. James Craig and a second by Mrs. Linda Duncan.

Order #2021-78 - Motion Passed:  A motion that the Board of Education approve the attached Professional Services Contract with Evolve502 and authorize the superintendent to sign same passed with a motion by Mr. James Craig and a second by Ms. Sarah McIntosh.

IV.A. Acceptance of 21st Century Community Learning Center Grants from the KDE for Newcomer Academy, Foster Traditional Academy, Iroquois High School, Minors Lane Elementary, and Slaughter Elementary School
Rationale

The Kentucky Department of Education has awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC) grant for five schools in the District.

The attached agreement is for the second year of the program at Newcomer Academy, Foster Traditional Academy, and Slaughter Elementary, and the third year of the program for Iroquois High School.  Each of these schools will receive $150,000 for school year 2021-22.  Minors Lane is in the fourth year of the program and will receive $125,000 for school year 2021-22. Additional agreements will be required for future program years. 

21st CCLC will provide academic, artistic, and cultural enrichment for students after-school and during the summer. This funding will provide a full-time on-site coordinator, extended service time for teachers, instructional assistants, and contractual costs with enrichment partners. In addition, the funding will also cover transportation costs for after-school transportation and transportation for the summer program.

The project directly supports Vision 2020 strategies 1.1.3, 1.1.5 and 1.1.7.

Submitted by: Dr. John Marshall

Attachment

Attachments
Recommended Motion

Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education accept $725,000 from the Kentucky Department of Education and authorize the superintendent to sign the attached contract.

IV.B. Recommendation for Approval of Professional Services Contract with Evolve502
Rationale

As a district, we have committed to ensuring that equitable access to a robust summer program will take place at over 100 locations across the city. 

This Professional Services Contract will procure the services of Evolve502 as they strategically convene various community partners and vendors for the purpose of providing optimal learning experiences for every student in grades 1-12 who participate in the 2021 Summer Backpack League. 

Many of the Community Learning Hubs who partnered with Evolve502 during Non-Traditional Instruction (NTI) during the onset of NTI will continue to serve many of our students. Additional community partners include colleges and universities throughout the city and numerous cultural arts organizations. 

Evolve502 has also been working in collaboration with KentuckianaWorks to secure High School students through the SummerWorks program. 

Although Evolve502 will be responsible for managing the community partners and vendors, Evolve502 will work in tandem with JCPS district personnel to align the services that the students will receive at each Summer Backpack League site.

Submitted by: Dr. Carmen Coleman

Attachment

Attachments
Recommended Motion

Superintendent Martin Pollio recommends the Board of Education approve the attached Professional Services Contract with Evolve502 and authorize the superintendent to sign same.

V. Adjournment
Actions Taken

Order #2021-79 - Motion Passed:  A motion to adjourn at 6:42 p.m. passed with a motion by Dr. Corrie Shull and a second by Mr. James Craig.