Elementary Capacity Study Team

Report

June 16, 2009

Current ProcessCurrent ProcessDirect the Superintendent to assign a staff Study Team to:

• prepare a report addressing the current and projected crowding in Arlington elementary schools and

• discuss issues and approaches to maximize the use of existing elementary school capacity

In July 2009, the School Board will hold a work session to

• discuss the report and

• to provide guidance to the Superintendent about preferred approaches to maximize current elementary capacity

Staff will initiate a community engagement process in the summer of 2009. In November 2009, the Superintendent will present to the School Board recommendations to maximize the use of existing school capacity.

• Boundary Development and Program Planning 2003Boundary Development and Program Planning 2003• Moved ten planning unitsMoved ten planning units• Moved Claremont to Campbell siteMoved Claremont to Campbell site• Opened Campbell as a choice option to all schools south of Route 50Opened Campbell as a choice option to all schools south of Route 50• Opened Claremont as an Immersion school with attendance area (western half of Opened Claremont as an Immersion school with attendance area (western half of

county)county)• Boundary and Enrollment Adjustment Process 2005Boundary and Enrollment Adjustment Process 2005

• Moved four planning unitsMoved four planning units• Moved one preK Montessori classMoved one preK Montessori class• Made Barrett a cluster school for non-team schools north of Route 50Made Barrett a cluster school for non-team schools north of Route 50

• Elementary Crowding and Capacity Committee 2008Elementary Crowding and Capacity Committee 2008• Moved two planning unitsMoved two planning units• Moved three programsMoved three programs• Changed Barcroft transfer option from Barrett to RandolphChanged Barcroft transfer option from Barrett to Randolph• Requested staff report on all elementary optionsRequested staff report on all elementary options

• Crowding Project Team 2009Crowding Project Team 2009• Reported on multiple options to School BoardReported on multiple options to School Board• School Board developed current process (next slide)School Board developed current process (next slide)

Background on Elementary Background on Elementary Capacity ProcessesCapacity Processes

Capacity Utilization TablesCapacity Utilization Tables

1. A staff presentation was simulcast in all the group meeting rooms outlining the issues around elementary crowding and maximizing the use of elementary school capacity. Supporting documents were distributed to attendees as a referent.

2. Facilitated, small-group, sessions of 8-12 participants in which each participant had the opportunity to:

• Respond with one comment – a pro, a con, or a pass – to each of 6 approaches to addressing crowding

• Suggest other approaches• Complete a Community Meeting Response Form with additional

comments and ranking and/or• Offer other approaches for APS to consider to maximize existing

capacity at our elementary schools

Meeting was organized and facilitated in collaboration with the Projections/Capacity Sub-committee (P/CS) of the Facilities Advisory Council.

May 11 Community MeetingMay 11 Community Meeting

Summary of ResultsSummary of Results

May 11 Community Meeting

While there appears to be no clear approach and/or solution accepted by all, there are several which appear to have a greater degree of support, including:

• Use of relocatables as a short-term, and in some instances, long-term solution

• Use of Wilson site, though considerable additional information and education needed, to provide additional capacity

• Disinterest in massive boundary moves, though awareness that if a program were to be moved to Wilson, boundary moves would

be necessary to create a new elementary school

Summary of ResultsSummary of ResultsOnline Survey

As of June 11, 2009, 334 surveys have been completed online.

The two approaches with both the most responses and the highest rankings are Adding Relocatables (289/334 responses; 134 responses ranked either 1 or 2) and Build New Elementary at Wilson Site (209/334 responses; 90 responses ranked either 1 or 2).

The 157 responses to the Convert the Use of Existing Spaces are divided approximately into thirds: • one-third supporting transitioning computer labs to mobile labs and

using the labs as classrooms• one-third opposed to transitioning• one-third either pro or con on converting other spaces

Next StepsNext Steps

1. School Board Work Session (July)

The School Board will hold a work session in July 2009 to discuss this report as well as any additional information requested and to provide guidance to the Superintendent about preferred approaches to maximize current elementary capacity.

Next StepsNext Steps2. Contract with an outside consultant to review current methods

and estimates of capacities, projected enrollments, and school space at our elementary and secondary schools (August –

November)Note: This was approved on May 26, 2009 by the School Board as part of the Secondary School Capacity Process.

APS will develop an RFP for the consultant which will be reviewed by the P/CS. APS will retain an outside consultant to review current methods and estimates of capacities, projected enrollments, and school space at our elementary and secondary schools and to make short-term and long-term recommendations for better using space within or among our buildings. The consultant would also be asked to provide recommendations for increasing permanent capacity at the schools for consideration in the upcoming CIP planning process.

Next StepsNext Steps

3. Staff and P/CS collaboration to address crowding (September – December)

Staff is enthusiastic about continuing the successful collaboration with the P/CS and the FAC as a whole. Following the work session and pursuant to the direction provided by the School Board, staff will initiate a community engagement process this summer and will continue to work with the P/CS. In November, the Superintendent will present to the School Board recommendations to maximize the use of existing school capacity.

Next StepsNext Steps

4. Proposed Community Engagement Process

Staff will begin the community engagement process this summer, following the School Board work session, with open sessions with interested stakeholders to discuss the results of School Board work session and the May 11 community meeting. This effort will be followed in the fall with community forums conducted by staff in collaboration with the P/CS on the results of the consultant’s work. Finally, School Board deliberations in December and January will include public hearings on the proposed recommendations.

TimelineTimelineJune 2009 Superintendent presents elementary crowding report to School Board

July 2009 School Board holds work session

July – August 2009

Staff and PC/S develop community engagement process

Staff and P/CS discuss School Board work session and community meeting results with interested stakeholders

Staff and P/CS continue to solicit community input

August – November 2009

Consultant conducts review

Staff, consultant, and P/CS analyzes data

Staff and PC/S conduct community engagement process with community forums on results of consultant’s work

Staff reviews options with P/CS and develops report to Superintendent

November 2009 Superintendent presents recommendations to School Board

November – December 2009

School Board holds public hearings on Superintendent’s recommendations

December 2009 – January 2010

School Board reviews and acts on Superintendent’s recommendations

Information and materials related to process (including Information and materials related to process (including aall responses, comments, and suggestions from the

May 11 Community Meeting):

http://www.apsva.us/elemcapacity

In addition, the Web page has an online survey for those who were unable to attend the community

meeting.

Web PageWeb Page

Elementary Capacity Study Team

Report

June 16, 2009