Jefferson County
May 24, 2010 5:00 PM
Work Session: Restructuring Westport and Frost Middle Schools
I. Work Session: Restructuring Westport and Frost Middle Schools
Rationale

Staff members will present the school plans and respond to Board members' questions concerning the 2010-11 Restructuring Plan Proposals for Westport and Frost Middle Schools. A brief PowerPoint presentation is attached.

Item I.A. outlines the recommendations and budgetary needs for the proposed 2010-11 restructuring plan for Westport Middle School.

Item I.B. outlines the recommendations and budgetary needs for the proposed 2010-11 restructuring plan for Frost Middle School.

I.A. Proposal to Restructure Westport Middle School
Rationale

The following staff members will present the school plans and respond to Board members' questions concerning the 2010-11 Restructuring Plan Proposal for Westport Middle School:

  • Dr. Sandra Ledford, assistant superintendent, Districtwide Instructional Services-Middle Schools;
  • Pat Todd, executive director, Student Assignment and JCPS Gheens Academy for Curricular Excellence and Instructional Leadership;
  • Steve St. Clair, middle school liaison;
  • Dr. Kathy Sayre, priority manager, Westport Middle School; 
  • Staci Eddleman, principal, Westport Middle School;
  • Janice James, resource teacher;
  • Heather Levinson, master teacher; and
  • Lyn Linton, parent, Westport Middle School
Although pockets of excellence exist, overall, Westport Middle School is not providing a teaching and learning environment that promotes challenging instruction and high levels of student engagement for all of its students. Many students from Westport’s attendance area have transferred to other schools. Westport needs to be restructured to retain those students as well as attract other students to the school and to ensure a rigorous level of instruction.

Programs will be designed and implemented to challenge students with a high level of rigor through whole school inquiry–based learning, Springboard (Pre-Advanced Placement) courses for Language Arts, and a Montessori Magnet Program, phased in over three years. Within these programs, students will actively construct and revise individual/group understanding and produce new knowledge by discovering relationships, solving problems, constructing explanations, and drawing conclusions. Students will confront compelling, contemporary issues or problems and connect with fellow learners to build on each others’ knowledge, skills, and personal experiences and make meaning, provide service, and learn to contribute to a more just society. All of these things will occur in a safe and respective learning environment.

The recommendations and budgetary needs for Westport Middle School are attached.

Submitted by Dr. Sandra Ledford

I.B. Proposal to Restructure Frost Middle School
Rationale

The following staff members will present the school plans and respond to Board members' questions concerning the 2010-11 Restructuring Plan Proposal for Frost Middle School:

  • Dr. Sandra Ledford, assistant superintendent, Districtwide Instructional Services-Middle Schools;
  • Pat Todd, executive director, Student Assignment and JCPS Gheens Academy for Curricular Excellence and Instructional Leadership;
  • Steve St. Clair, middle school liaison;
  • Jacqueline Austin, priority manager, Frost Middle School;
  • Ursula Wade, principal, Frost Middle School; and
  • Janice James, resource teacher.
Although pockets of excellence exist, overall, Frost Middle School is not providing a teaching and learning environment that promotes challenging instruction and high levels of student engagement for all of its students. Many students who live in Frost’s resides area choose other options, such as transfers, optional programs, or magnet programs/schools.

Programs at Frost will be designed and implemented to challenge students with a high level of rigor through whole school inquiry–based learning and Springboard (Pre-Advanced Placement) courses for Language Arts. Within these programs, students will actively construct and revise individual/group understanding and produce new knowledge by discovering relationships, solving problems, constructing explanations, and drawing conclusions. Students will confront compelling, contemporary issues or problems and connect with fellow learners to build on each others’ knowledge, skills, and personal experiences and make meaning, provide service, and learn to contribute to a more just society. All of these things will occur in a safe and respective learning environment.

The recommendations and budgetary needs for Frost Middle School are attached.

Submitted by Dr. Sandra Ledford