Champaign Unit 4 Schools

Educational Programming Team

“Possibilities for the Future”

Educational Programming Team

-Review GST

-Reports from Holly Nelson and Lisa De La Ru

-Provide possibilities regarding grade configurations to the Board of Education

Referendum

March 2014

Public Engagement Firm 2012-2013

-Public opinion polling and focus groups for feedback regarding facilities

Educational Programming Team and

Facilities Committee 2012-2013

-Membership: Internal and External

Stakeholders

Great Schools, Together

Baseline Standards needed in all school facilities

Modern mechanical and electrical service that accommodates current/future

technology needs

Air Conditioning - Even temperature to ensure comfort and protection of

equipment

Operable windows with outdoor views and screens to prevent pests from entering

Adequate safety features

Separate gym/cafeteria spaces

LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - for Schools (The State

of Illinois requires this for school construction projects that receive state funds)

Dedicated Enrichment Spaces that adequately serve programs, like:

o Arts

o Music

o Enrichment classes

o Band Room with proper storage and practice rooms {Middle and High

Schools}

Stage and Performance Area {Elementary and Middle Schools}

Special Education rooms for break-out or targeted services

Auditorium with adequate storage, staging areas and acoustics – not a

Cafetorium {High Schools}

Private specialist spaces

Staff work space

Administrative space

o Adequate record keeping area

Library

Computer Labs

o Multiple purposes

o Some dedicated labs, ex. Writing Lab

Proper outdoor spaces to accommodate the quantity, age and skill level of users

o Physical Education

Great Schools, Together

Baseline Standards needed in all school facilities

Proper outdoor spaces to accommodate the quantity, age and skill level of

users

Playgrounds and/or outdoor recreation spaces at all schools

Track/Sports Facilities {High School}

Marching Band practice area {High School}

o Well-designed transportation spaces for safe and efficient pick-up/drop-

off

Natatorium (Indoor swimming pool) {High School}

Industrial Technology space {Middle and High Schools}

Science Labs

Eliminate portable classrooms

Great Schools, Together

Baseline Standards needed in all school facilities

Data Suggests Some Considerations

Transitions – process of transitioning is important in terms of student learning – not the when but

the how. It was suggested that the preparation students receive for upcoming transitions and the

focus on building relationships may be more important than the configuration. It could be that

teachers are more knowledgeable about the tests given in their schools and what is expected at

upcoming grades so they are better able to prepare the students.

Diverse Students – Personalization and the building of relationships is significant. A combination

of high teacher connection and high teacher regulation predicts greatest achievement gains for

low-income adolescents.

School Size – The size of the school/class does not necessarily affect achievement, it is the ability

of a teacher to connect with students and direct their work and educational path that matters.

o Larger schools offer more opportunities for student participation but students in smaller

schools are more likely to participate

o Smaller schools make it easier to foster a positive school climate - however this does not

necessarily translate into improved academic outcomes. Bullying and discipline do not

appear to be related to school size. Overall, evidence to support the relationship among

school size and academic outcomes is not strong.

Literature Review by Lisa De La Rue

Elementary

Possibilities for the future

The focus was directed to Dr. Howard, South Side, and the “old”

Carrie Busey.

Based on enrollment trends, capacity at the elementary level

needs to be examined

K-8 models should be considered, in addition to increasing

strands at existing schools.

Possibilities: Maintain two K-5 schools, one at South Side

and one at “old” Carrie Busey, and repurpose

current Dr. Howard site for office space Carrie Busey on Kirby: 3 Strand South Side: 4 Strand

Dr. Howard: Office space

Pros:

Aligns to all other elementary

schools

Provides additional seat capacity

Cons:

Does not assist with middle

school overcrowding

Need to consider movement of

programs (e.g. Gifted)

Possibilities: Create a K-2 at “old” Carrie Busey and 3-5

at South Side with renovations Carrie Busey on Kirby: K-2 (sister school model)

South Side: 3-5 (sister school model

Dr. Howard: Office space

Pros:

Limited renovations

Fairly seamless between two

schools

Cons:

Won’t help overcrowding at middle

schools and limited additional seat

capacity at elementary level

Consider gifted needs

Middle School

Possibilities for the future

The focus was directed towards looking into non-traditional

middle school options such as K—8 buildings, 6-12 buildings

and magnet themes

We believe middle schools of 600 are better than 800

Possibilities: 9 elementary schools, 2 K-8 schools (DH/SS), 3 middle schools

(FR/JF/ED) and a 6-12 schools (IB or Magnet @ Central) 9 Elementary Schools

K-5 2 K-8 Schools 3 Middle Schools

ED,FR & JF

Pros:

Keeps elementary options

Provides magnet at secondary

K-8 - fewer transitions and

opportunities for peer

mentoring (K-8/6-12)

Cons: Sports/band issues (K-8)

Limited encore options

K-8 model - no content area specialists

Certification issues

A 7-12 Program

IB or Magnet @ renovated Central

Possibilities: 3 middle schools (JE/FR/ED-@renovated old Central, 12 elementary

schools (use of old CB) and 2 high schools (new & renovated)

12 Elementary Schools

Use old CB 2 High Schools

Central: new

Centennial :renovated

3 Middle Schools

FR & JF (additions)

ED @ renovated Central

Pros:

Familiarity

Allows for population expansion

Expands/improves middle

school facilities

Cons: Students will have two transitions

Fairly large middle schools (700- 800)

Limited green space at old Central site

Edison used for District offices

Possibilities: 12 elementary schools,4 Middle Schools and 2 high schools and a

7-12 program

12 Elementary Schools

with one K-8 option 2 High Schools

Central: new

Centennial :renovated

4 Middle Schools

ED, FR, JF and

New Middle School

Pros: Increase seat capacity at elementary

and middle schools

Magnet feed 7-12

Old Carrie Busey can absorb enrollment

Distinct feeder pattern for high school

Cons: K-8 - issues with sports, band, special

education

Teacher certification issues

A 7-12 MS/HS

High School Possibilities for the future

We believe we should maintain two traditional high schools.

We believe both schools should have equitable facilities for 21st

century learners

Possibilities: 2 high schools (new Central and remodeled Centennial)1 shared

facility for specialized programs such as career tech, computer

programming, STEAM. Specialized program could be housed at

Central or build a new facility and use Central as middle school

Pros: Guarantee that specialized program will be

comprehensive, state of the art

Keeps historical Central as part of high school

programming

Meets the needs of diverse population

Encourages cross collaboration between

teachers and schools

Increases community involvement

Academic Academy is housed at specialized

program site

Increase in academic opportunities: Advanced

placement, IB and career technology

Cons: Transportation/Bussing: getting students to site

Complicated logistics and scheduling

Two school renovations and either a new building or

major renovation to Central

Centennial High School

Extensive renovation

Central High School

New

Specialized

Program Site

Possibilities: 2 high schools

Pros: Maintains some form of school identity

Former Central High School can be used

as middle school

State of the art buildings

Equalize facilities at both schools

Equity for all children

Increase diverse involvement - facilities

on-site

Attract more people to public school

More students could be closer to their

own high school depending on location

and redistricting

Cons: Some will feel loss of school identity

Centennial High School

Extensive renovation Central High School

New

Possibilities: 1 Large Comprehensive High School

Pros: Central and Centennial could be

used for middle schools

Increase in academic

opportunities: Advanced

placement, IB and career

technology

Increase in a competitive sports

program

Cons: Loss of school identity

Fewer students playing varsity sports

Fewer opportunities for students to be

in activities: drama, choir

Travel for athletic team could be

substantial

Greater chance of student anonymity

More difficult to create positive

relationships with individual students

Champaign High School