ONE TEAM MEETING Envisioning the Future Facilities Planning Through 2025 January 15, 2016 We are here to discuss our facilities. DO THEY FIT OUR NEEDS? I believe, you believe, and our School Board believes they need to go in a different direction. The Foundation of My Leadership is: Clear, honest and transparent communication This is why I am here today.and I will be back when the best alternatives are identified Our Approach to Addressing Facility Needs Understand the needs through a long-range facilities study Conduct school, community, and community leader meetings 1.) Share the research and current planning for facility use and needs 2). Receive feedback from proposed plan Our Criterion for Making Decisions Decisions will be based on what is in the best interest of our students and the community as a whole. We are committed to being wise stewards of the taxpayers dollars.. Lets not forgetfacilities are not the primary lever for our success. It is quality teaching and coaching. It is ourpeople! 10 Year Facilities Plan Components Analyzed enrollment evolution Received economic trend data from Anderson County Economic Development officials Prepared facility utilization and capacity analysis Researched grade level configuration pros/cons Developed preventative maintenance plan through 2025 Identified instructional and athletic facility needs Sources: Instructional Staff Survey, Community/Parent Survey, District Leadership Team Top Challenges, District Needs, Title IX Audit Prior Facilities Plan to Now (2003 2016) Urban Collage Long Range Facilities Plan, 2004 Enrollment in 2003: 2700 Students (K-12), 2% Annual Growth Projected Growth by 2014: 3400 Students (K-12) Forecasted Overcrowded & Portable Classrooms by 2008 Proposed 3 options were: New elementary (K-6) Add-on to the 5 facilities as needed Construct a new intermediate school (5/6 or 7/8) : Students (5%) Prior Facilities Plan to Now (2003 2016) Urban Collage Long Range Facilities Plan, 2004 Mount Lebanon Elementary School Opened in 2007 (Growing) Economic Downturn in 2008 Enrollment increase to 2837 students in 2008 (5-year peak) Growth declined during the lean years of to Net gain from 2006 to 2015 is only 18 students over time Enrollment did not grow as forecasted 2008: 2006: PK-5, 1295 Students Three Schools 2016: PK-5, 1290 Students Four Schools (Minus 6 th Grade, 216 Students) SCHOOL ENROLLMENTS 18 Students LACK OF GROWTH Housing - No new subdivisions since House Permits in 2014, substantial number of homes in foreclosure - Falls at Meehan: Phase I, 2010 15, sold 50 of 61 lots, 2/3rds to Clemson alumni/retirees w/ no Children; Phase II, Cap out over time with 160 rooftops LACK OF GROWTH Housing - No new subdivisions since House Permits in 2014, substantial number of homes in foreclosure - Falls at Meehan: Phase I, 2010 15, sold 50 of 61 lots, 2/3rds to Clemson alumni/retirees w/ no Children; Phase II, Cap out over time with 160 homes Business & Industry - 4 Small Business Permits in No new large industry since Michelin (1980, 1100 employees), E & I Engineering (2014, 250 employees) - Potential Industrial Park (Highway 76/Millwee Creek Road) LACK OF GROWTH Housing - No new subdivisions since House Permits in 2014, substantial number of homes in foreclosure - Falls at Meehan: Phase I, 2010 15, sold 50 of 61 lots, 2/3rds to Clemson alumni/retirees w/ no Children; Phase II, Cap out over time with 160 rooftops Business & Industry - 4 Small Business Permits in No new large industry since Michelin (1980, 1100 employees), E & I Engineering (2014, 250 employees) - Potential Industrial Park (76/Millwee Creek Road) Anderson County Planning & Community Development and 2015 Future Land Use Maps (10-20 Year Growth Projections) Forecast the same acreage available for development - Population increase due to northerners moving South for lower taxes - Possible projected growth TODAYS LANDSCAPE IN ASD4 High performing schoolsschools No significant economic growth Student enrollment is stable and forecasted to remain stable District purchased 84 Acres on Boscobel Road in 2013 for potential facility & athletic needs Voters approved a referendum in 2014 for a 1-cent sales tax (15 years) - 20% reduction in Debt Service - 5.5M for a new career center with Anderson 3 and M for needed capital projects SCHOOL FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS $26.4 M School Bond Referendum passed in 2006 New school (MLES), PHS addition, RMS renovation (media center and classrooms), TES renovation (new gym and cafeteria), technology upgrade in all schools External digital signs, all locations Classroom furnishings, K-8 Airlocks in elementary & middle schools PHS renovation: cafeteria and new front entrance, roof and HVAC Replacement New transportation office and bus pad facility $34 Million ATHLETIC FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS Added lights on the track Put up a baseball field screen, re-did backstop and handicap ramp Replaced home side stadium seating (2008) Replaced home concession stand and visitors concessions and restrooms Replace turf on the football field annually $1.3 Million Instructional Staff Survey Results The majority of comments supported: middle school facility, moving the 6th grade back to the middle school, upgrading elementary playgrounds, and building a new track. DETERMINING SCHOOL FACILITY NEEDS 36% 23% 8% 19% 14% Parent & Community Survey Results The majority of the comments supported: middle school facilities moving the 6th grade back to the middle school, and upgrading the athletic facilities overall with attention to a new track. DETERMINING SCHOOL FACILITY NEEDS 55% 16% 10% 12% 7% SCHOOL FACILITY NEEDS District Leadership Team #1 Identified Challenge 6 th Grade In Elementary Setting Now PROSCONS More child-centeredTeachers are elementary certified, not certified in content areas Proximity to elementary school is closer for some parents Test scores rank ASD4 6 th graders behind areas schools with 6 th grade at the middle level NurturingPuberty changes in elementary setting Some parents share they prefer them being sheltered for another year. 8 Years in elementary setting with 1 day a week of related arts Students, outside of A4 schools, interact with students with middle school background: churches, sports, other middle schools Students transfers from another district to A4 school as a 6th grader are back in elementary school. Band is not everyday and students lose year of instruction Trainings from SDE and other groups splits grade level, K-5 and 6- 8; even textbook adoptions 1. More instructional time 2. Teachers are content specialists 3. Students can select an exploratory and begin exploration a year earlier than is currently allowed 4. Middle level certified teachers are additionally certified to address social, emotional, and academic aspects of 6th grade students 5. Students receive semester classes 6. Freedom for students at MS 7. Achievement increase 8. Less need to share teachers 9. Scheduling flexibility 10. Accountability reports (K-5 and 6-8) 6th Grade at the Middle Setting, Pros PROPOSED PROJECTS Elementary playground upgrades (ADA) and/or walking trails Security cameras additions at all locations PHS auditorium renovation PHS gym bleachers replacement New PHS track, soccer field, and practice fields ( practices/team (FB, SB, BB, Soccer); 114 matches) CATE & weight room addition and field house renovation Title IX Issues, Lack of Space (Training Room & Storage); 100 lockers for 353 athletes New baseball field, student parking, stadium entrance, and DOT turning lanes 6 th grade at the middle school level School/activity buses New ROTC practice and drill area This list is a 5-year goal Projects were presented to the Board based on your input There is no order of priority Funded by 1 cent sales tax and district funds Debt service will remain stable This list is a 5-year goal Projects were presented to the Board based on your input There is no order of priority Funded by 1 cent sales tax and district funds Debt service will remain stable YOUR PENNY AT WORK Priority Projects New Career Center, Anderson Institute of Technology Underway, Opens August 2019, in collaboration with Anderson 3 and 5 New Track, Soccer Field, and Practice Fields Commence Construction Spring 2016 Additional Security Cameras Install Summer 2016 Pendleton High Auditorium Renovation Renovate Summer 2016 CATE & Weight Room Addition and Field House Renovation Construction th Grade at the Middle School Construction 6 th GRADE AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL Key Points 6 th grade at the middle level is the top instructional need identified by stakeholders A new middle school on the 84 acres on Boscobel Road would require a school bond referendum ($35 M) in addition to the 1 cent sales tax revenue 6 schools are accommodating the same district enrollment served by 5 schools in 2006 Existing Riverside location could be purchased for expansion and resolving the one road access to the school; this option would require land securement and road improvements; additional costs Classroom capacity study indicates 3 elementary schools with some renovation for potential growth at one site could easily serve PK-5 while keeping ratios at 1:20 for 1st-3rd grade span and 1:23 for 4-5th grades 6th GRADE AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL Key Points Only two of the four elementary sites have potential space/land capacity to serve 6-8, with some renovation work Restructuring school facilities would provide significant annual operational savings that could be used to support instruction ($1 - $1.5 Million Annually) Pendleton Elementary Option Classroom renovation for exploratories, expand cafeteria, add locker room space, renovate athletic fields, relocate Family Learning Center; Add 14 additional classrooms at Mt. Lebanon for special needs, FLC, growth Mount Lebanon Elementary Option Classroom addition (14 rooms - science/exploratories, special ed., growth), renovate gym and cafeteria, add football field/track, add locker room addition, infrastructure improvements, site improvements 6th GRADE AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL Key Points If the middle school were relocated, the district would look for ways to keep the existing Riverside Middle School building a viable part of the community 6th GRADE AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL Key Points If the decision is made to restructure the number of schools, no employee will lose their employment as part of the transition plan A decision on the option for moving the 6 th grade to the middle level will be made by the Board this spring (2016) The earliest 6 th grade could be placed back at the middle school level would be August of 2018 GETTING THE 6 TH GRADE BACK AT THE MIDDLE LEVEL WILL REQUIRE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS Considerations: Cost, Enrollment, Age of facilities, Historical pattern of academic performance, Balancing diversity of populations (ethnicity and SES), Pattern of growth in enrollment, Parent satisfaction, Demand for signature experiences, Potential for attracting new homeowners, School/community identity, Transportation, Athletic facilities, Name of the middle school, etc. Renovation of the Dog House would require major upgrades to meet OSF codes as well as the building is still infested with bats, mold, and asbestos. Lead-based paint is also thought to be present at the facility. PENDLETONS DOG HOUSE NOW Annually monitor student enrollment and economic development Annually re-evaluate project priorities With an athletic facility design in place and a new lift station with capacity for a new school on the 84 acres, re-evaluate the need for a new school and school bond referendum FINAL THOUGHTS Decisions on restructuring schools will be done in the best interest of students Any savings will go right back to the student The district wants to hear your thoughts about the plan - Exit Card: Share the strengths and challenges - Request a conversation with the superintendent - Resources are posted on the ASD4 Website