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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-22 ad Hoc - Early Childhood Space Needs Working Group Minutes IR R Town of Reading Irl Meeting Minutes iECEIVED r° (OWN CLERK °`'s•,Mo.9� DING. MASS. 1► Board - committee - commission - council: 'A ^EC 1 I P 12: 45 School Committee Date: 2014-10-22 Time: 6:30 PM Building: School - Memorial High Location: Superintendent Conference Room Address: 82 Oakland Road Purpose: Early Childhood Space Needs Session: General Session Working Group Attendees: Members - Present: Jeanne Borawski Chuck Robinson John Halsey (arrived at 6:40 p.m.) Debbie Butts Eric Burkhart Bob Mooney Nancy Docktor Mark Dockser Karen Feeney Marc Moll Martha Sybert Craig Martin George Katsoufis Ashley Quinn Michele Sanphy Dan Ensminger Andrea Morelli Amy Koehler Etain O'Dea Rick Williams Members - Not Present: Anne Manna Others Present: John Doherty Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Linda Engelson on behalf of the Sub-Committee Chair Topics of Discussion: 1. Call to Order Mrs. Borawski called the sub-committee to order at 6:30 p.m. She asked that the group introduce themselves. She then reviewed the goals of the _ Working Group. IL Recommended Procedure Page 1 1 Mr. Halsey arrived at 6:40 p.m. Ms. O'Dea said that her family moved to Reading for the schools and is concerned with the lack of classroom space at RISE and our elementary schools. Dr. Doherty reviewed the focus of this evening's discussion. The ultimate goal is to determine which direction the district should take to address the space issues at the elementary and preschool levels. Areas to be discussed include Special Education Programming, Specialized Classrooms for science,technology and foreign language, full day kindergarten, and integrated preschool programs. The Superintendent discussed driving variables for additional space which included the need in the community for full day kindergarten, increased use of the Superintendent's Option when placing new students, commitment to support Fine Arts programs at the elementary level, preschool expansion and an increased number of students requiring special education services at the preschool level,the addition of in-district special education programs since 2004 and the vision of improving STEM areas at the elementary levels. Mr. Katsoufis asked what the driving trends that are contributing to the space shortage. The space needs are being driven by programs rather than enrollment. Dr. Doherty said the increased enrollments in full day kindergarten and preschool, special education space and dedicated space for art and music programs are driving the space needs. More parents are working full time and need to have their children in full day kindergarten. Dr. Doherty reviewed the current enrollment numbers. The Superintendent stressed that the increase in enrollment and the addition of programs have contributed to the space shortage. There are no available classrooms in any of the elementary schools for the 2015-16 school year. Discussion turned to full day kindergarten. Ms. Docktor asked when full day kindergarten was first offered. Dr. Doherty said the first year was 2005-06 school year. Studies have shown that full day kindergarten is beneficial to students by contributing to their school readiness; it leads to higher academic achievement, supports literacy and language development,prepares students for the increased rigor of the common core implementation and benefits children socially and emotionally. The ultimate goal is to be able to offer free full day kindergarten. Mrs. Borawski pointed out that 10 states now mandate free full day kindergarten. Mr. Robinson added that tuition free means tax payer funded. Chapter 70 funding would increase but there would be a gap year. Mr. Robinson also added that even if our full day enrollment remains at 71% of kindergarteners we still have space concerns. The conversation moved to RISE. The RISE enrollment has also continued to grow. Ms. Sanphy said that RISE is a well-respected program and parents want to enroll their children there. This year we had 25 families on a waiting list primarily due to space constraints. The Superintendent explained that the RISE population must maintain a ratio of 51%regular education students to 49% special education students. Mr. Moll asked what happens if we are out of compliance. Dr. Doherty explained that the district would apply for a waiver for time to correct the imbalance. Being out of compliance could also affect our out-of-district placements. Page 1 2 Mr. Halsey said the RISE preschool enrollment has increased 70% in ten years and question if there were that many more children and wondered if parents were moving away from the private preschool option. Dr. Doherty shared that private preschools do not have to meet the curriculum standards that public setting are required to by the DESE. When children that attended private preschools enter the Reading Public Schools they may not have been introduced to the required standards. Dr. Doherty provided an overview of the process to date. Space needs and full day kindergarten discussions began in January 2011. In November of 2011 Town Meeting approved funding for an Elementary Space Needs Study which was completed in June of 2012. The space options as a result of this report were studied. In October of 2012 the Reading School Committee voted to support implementation of FDK and the process began to determine the best site and option to pursue. It was determined that the old Woburn St. School property could be a viable option to create an Early Childhood Center and an Architect was hired to perform a feasibility study. During the spring of the 2013 school year the School Department held meetings with Town officials and the community to discuss the Woburn Street option. In August of 2013 discussion was held during the Financial Forum and determined that the Woburn Street property was no longer a viable option. A working group was formed in October 2013 to review other possible options and make recommendations. In the spring of 2014, Town Meeting voted not to support an early childhood center. It was the consensus of the body that there were too many unanswered questions. In October 2014,the School Committee voted to establish an Early Childhood Space Needs Working Group to review previous options as well as to explore other possible options. The Superintendent pointed out that the previous working group explored over 30 options including the rental of space,purchasing and renovating existing space, additions to each elementary school, moving grade 5 to the middle schools, building two smaller early childhood centers and building a new full size Early Childhood Center with different configurations. They also analyzed 12 different proposed sites and cost summary of each as a result of the architectural feasibility study. Dr. Doherty reviewed the reasons that modular classrooms, additions to the elementary buildings and moving grade 5 are not feasible options at this time. Ms. Docktor does not feel full day kindergarten is necessary. She would not have sent her children to a full day program. She is concerned about the future of education. She feels that it is essential that the Town take a more balanced view where to invest their money. Mr. Katsoufis added that there should be an analysis for a clearer picture of the Town needs and projection of those costs. This will help build confidence in the community. Dr. Doherty continued explaining how the additional classroom space would be used by the schools. Art and music would once again have dedicated classroom space, there would be increased special education and learning center spaces, the ability to address the unanticipated class size bubbles and space would be available for other early childhood interventions. He also outlined the financial impact on the operating budget of moving forward with an option to address the space issues at both the elementary and preschool levels. An increase in Chapter 70 funds would also occur if we are able to offer free full day kindergarten for all. The increased funding would occur in year two. The district Page 1 3 would have to cover the offset which would be approximately 1.1 million dollars for the first year. Mr. Ensminger asked if there is a possibility of MSBA funding. MSBA funding is based on population and not programs. Discussion continued regarding funding options and a request was made to find out if North Andover and Wakefield have received state funding for the implementation of free full day kindergarten. Both communities will be offering free full day kindergarten next year. Mr. Halsey asked if the discussions will be driven by an Architect. Dr. Doherty said that we have not hired an architect to assist this working group. Mr. Dockser indicated that the matrix of options created for the previous working group was developed by an architectural firm. Dr. Doherty concluded the presentation by outlining the scenario if we do nothing. He shared that the achievement gap issues will continue, full day kindergarten will remain tuition based,program demands will require the use of more classroom space in the buildings, special education compliance issues will not get addressed,the Superintendent's option will continue to be used and class sizes will continue to increase. Mrs. Borawski asked how the group will do this work. Mr. Halsey suggested bringing in outside help. Mr. Robinson said we have no funding to hire an architect or consultant. Ms. Sanphy asked for clarification on the space needs at the high school. The lack of classroom space affects the schedule. The high school does not have a lot of large project, office, conference and storage spaces. Mr. Mooney pointed out that program issues and increased population have contributed to every space being used at the high school. Mrs. Borawski suggested that before the next meeting the working group review the option matrix. Dr. Doherty will email the matrix to the group. After the review of the matrix, discussion will need to be held to determine what the space needs are and how to address them. Mr. Martin suggested that the group look for long term sustainable solutions. Methods of communication were then discussed. It was suggested that RCTV be televising these meetings. Mr. Dockser said there is a need to energize the whole community regarding the need to address our space needs. Mr. Halsey suggested that we provide constant updates to the Town Meeting members. Page 1 4 Mr Robinson moved, seconded by Mr. Halsey, to adjourn. The motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. III. Adjournment NOTE: The minutes reflect the order as stated in the posted meeting agenda not the order they occurred during the meeting. YF. Dohe , Ed.D. Page 1 5