District Reconfiguration Unanimously Passes School Board

An ambitious that would split two local elementaries, add a 7th and 8th grade to Thomas Page and expand 6th grade at Lawrence Jones unanimously passed the school board last night. 

Assistant Superintendent Elizabeth Kaufman said when the idea was first introduced that the move would be a bold, yet positive move for the district.

"We noticed we have a lot of combination classes — grades one and two together, for example, three and four or five and six," she said. "We looked at the numbers and we could have smaller class sizes, while at the same time having fewer combination classes."

According to Superintendent Robert Haley, the change is aimed at:

• Improved instructional grouping and a reduction in the number of combination classes.
• Larger grade level teams for curriculum planning and instructional teaming.
• Maintaining two small campuses while increasing focus on student learning through K-3 and 4-6 structures.
• Targeted interventions and enrichment by grade level and needs - schedules and support can be arranged to ensure that all students are taught at their levels.
• Building K-6 community engagement and efficiency by sharing PTA, site council, family nights and other special activities.

"The biggest thing is really to improve instruction by having an opportunity for teacher collaboration and small group teaching," said Anne Barron, the district's Chief Business Official. "For example, teachers could say on Monday mornings, I'm going to take the students who are struggling with reading and you're going to take the middle students and you're going to take the advanced students."

Together John Reed Elementary and Waldo Rohnert Elementary schools serve about 730 students — which is a small amount, according to district officials. The reconfiguration would send students in grades K-3 to John Reed and 4-6 to Waldo. The campuses would technically be one school, held at two sites.

At Lawrence E. Jones Middle School, two additional 6th grade classes will be added — roughly 60 students. The district is also looking for 30 7th graders to expand at Thomas Page. According to officials, "the program will begin next year with the addition of seventh graders and expand to include 8th grade in 2013-14."

Amy Goodwin will become the principal at Waldo Rohnert, Susan Lopez at John Reed, Barbara Bickford would remain at Thomas Page and Laurie Mason at Lawrence Jones.

Though about 50 people showed up at Tuesday night's  meeting, they came to voice concern over a proposal to reduce the number of nurses within the district and an early plan to allow students to opt out of physical education classes — not to protest any part of the reconfiguration. The governing board did not take any action on either of those items.

Haley did, however, ice a plan to re-open La Fiesta Elementary. He said the enrollment interest isn't there yet. Barron said Haley is still examining re-opening the school, however.

"We are just gathering more information on how many parents are ready to enroll their children for the 2012-13 school year," she said. "We expect to make a decision after April 4."

And stay tuned for upcoming community information session nights hosted by the school district. What do you think? Would you support the split? Do you think it's the best thing for the students?