Regional School District No. 6 School Design Work Group Recommendations – April 22, 2019
A special thanks and recognition to the members of this Work Group who have served the communities of Regional School District 6: Amy Anderson (Warren) Jennifer Humphries-Finch (Morris) Bob Asman (Morris) Margie Groht (Morris) Jessica Baker (Morris) Becky Hubschman (Goshen) KC Chapman (Administrator) Brandon Ives (Goshen) Michael Cardinal (Goshen) Alexandrea Papp (Warren) Emily Cole (Goshen) Darren Ranft (Teacher) Robert DeLayo (Warren) Jeremiah Sattazahn (District) Melissa Desmond (Warren) Work Group Members
In September, the Board of Education established a Work Group on School Design and Enrollment with the following membership: From Each Town (Total 12) 1 - Elementary Parent 1 - Secondary Parent 2 - Community Members (1 can be a parent) From District (Total 3) 1 - Administrator (Appointed by Superintendent) 1 - Teacher (Appointed by WAMOGO Educators Association) 1 - Non-Certified Staff (Appointed by Superintendent) Work Group Composition
The Work Group “acknowledging nearly a decade of decreased school enrollment the goal is to provide the Regional School District 6 Board of Education with a school design proposal” The Work Group met on the following days: • November 8, 2018 • December 13, 2018 • January 17, 2019 • February 21, 2019 • March 21, 2019 • April 11, 2019 Work Group - Process
Education • Curriculum coordination across grade levels • Common instructional practice and expectations for all grades/sites • Cohesive special education services based on individual student need Programs • Increased program opportunities for students (art, music, sports and theater) • Grade level enrichment programs (field trips, electives, opportunities) Social/Emotional • Extended social peer groups for students/parents/schools • Increased town-to-town student relations Finance • Long-term savings through concentrated grade enrollment • Reduction of spending redundancies (staffing, supplies, transportation) Work Group – Guiding Rationales
• Middle School Configuration • Extend Pre-School Opportunities • Expand Life Skills Program (PK-12) • Marketing and Communication Recommendations
Middle School Concept
Elementary Enrollment (as of 1.1.2019)
Secondary Enrollment (as of 1.1.2019)
180 156 160 149 146 141 140 140 120 101 104 100 102 96 100 91 Enrollment (7-8) 80 Adjusted Enrollment (6-8) 60 40 20 0 Actual Projected Projected Projected Projected Projected 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024 Projected Enrollment
8 Classrooms RSD6 Middle School Location (Current)
Middle School Entrance (New) Separated from High School by a door Middle School Bathrooms Additional Classrooms (2) Principals Office (Current) RSD6 Middle School Location
• Co-Taught 6 th Grade Classes (ELA and Math) • Course Choices (AgSci; Tech Ed, Culinary Arts, Arts, Music, Electives) • Coordinated Enrichment / Remediation • Expanded Art, Music, and Theater Programs • Increased participation / competitive sports • Facility Access • Club / Social / Peer Groups Middle School Program Enhancements
• Charter Change (Required BOE Approval and Referendum) • When? (Proposed for 2020-2021) • Separate Middle School Transportation (Three Tier System) • Student Transition • Employee Reduction (1.5-2 FTE) • Employee Bumping (Certification) Considerations
1970 – Charter (Approved Recommendations)
Sec. 10-47c. Amendment of plan. With the exception of the terms which pertain to the capital contribution of member towns, the transfer of property to the regional school district, the grades included, the size of the board of education and the representation of each town on the board and the towns to be served by the regional school district, the terms of the plan approved through referenda pursuant to section 10-45 may be amended as follows: If a regional board of education finds it advisable to amend the plan or if the legislative body of a town served by the regional board of education requests amendment of such plan, the regional board of education shall prepare a report on the proposed amendment, including the question to be presented, file a copy with the Commissioner of Education and the clerk of each member town and make copies of such report available to the public at a district meeting called to present the plan. After such public hearing, the board shall set the date for referenda which shall be held simultaneously in each member town between the hours of six a.m. and eight p.m. At least thirty days before the date of the referenda, the regional board of education shall notify the town clerk in each member town to call the referendum on the specified date to vote on the specified question. The warning of such referenda shall be published, the vote taken and the results thereof canvassed and declared in the same manner as is provided for the election of officers of a town. The town clerk of each town shall certify the vote of the town to the regional board of education and the Commissioner of Education. If the majority vote in each town of the district is in favor of the proposed amendment to the plan, such amendment shall take effect immediately. https://www.cga.ct.gov/2017/pub/chap_164.htm#sec_10-47c Charter Change – Legislation Clarification
Extending Pre School Program
• 2018-2019 Program Warren (AM session combined with K) Morris (AM session only) Goshen (AM and PM sessions) • 2019-2020 Program (Proposed) Warren (AM session only) Morris (AM session only) Goshen (AM and PM sessions) Current Pre School Program
Cost Structure (2019-2020) Actual Cost is $2,800 per pupil Current Pre School Program
• Increase PK Tuition • Create Full-Day PK Program • Offer vacant seats to RSD6 Staff (Post April 1 st and at Cost) • Market Full-Day PK Program to neighboring towns (at cost) • Requires Policy Change Considerations for 2020-2021
Expanding Life Skills Program
Elementary Life Skills Program Location (Current)
Expansion Potential Current Location Secondary Life Skills Program Location (Current)
• Current Student Diagnosis Autism Intellectual Disability Multiple Disability • Certified Special Education Instructor • Paraprofessional Support (1:1 as needed / Classroom Support) • Academic / Life Skill Instruction • Personalized Education (based on Individual Education Plan) • “Mainstream” Education with peer group (as applicable) • Community Outings (Secondary Level) Life Skills Program
• JMS Program (PK-6) Capacity: 12 Current Enrollment: 8 • WAMOGO Program (7-12) Capacity: 12 Current Enrollment: 7 (Full Time) 2 (Transition) • Overall PK-12 Current Capacity: 9 • Potential Tuition = $175 per day (base) + additional need (Para Support, OT, PT) = $31,500+ • Minimum Potential Revenue = $280,000 Life Skills Program - CAPACITY
• Policy Change (Board of Education) • Marketing • Board Established Tuition Rate • Certified Staff to Student Ratio (Monitor) • Non-Certified Staff Support (Monitor) Paraprofessional Behavioral Medical Considerations
• Policy 5118 • Required change Policy on Tuition
Marketing and Communication
• PTO Outreach • Parent Outreach / Testimonials • Realtor Interaction • Direct Mailing / Pamphlets • Senior Citizen Outreach • Town Interactions Considerations
• Social Media (Contests / Outreach / Interaction) • Website Changes • Celebration of Excellence • Elementary – to – Middle School – to – High School Considerations
Next Steps
• Staff Presentations (May 2019) • Town Tour (May 2019) • Board of Education Discussion (June / July 2019) Considerations
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