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Education: Excellence and Equity
Conversations about Middle School and Concord/ Lunenburg
Summer, 2020
Burke / Concord / Lyndon / Lunenburg/ Newark / Sheffield / Sutton / Wheelock
Vermont
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Gathering Information
After reviewing the fiscal and physical plant information the KESD Board is seeking input from the Concord and Lunenburg communities concerning a combined middle school.
July 16, 6pm - Discussion and Input
August 20, 6pm- Discussion and Input
September 2020- Board, next steps
Our goal for the July and August meetings is to share information about our current facilities and academic realities, and receive input from the community.
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Tonight
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Current Situation- facilities
Summer, 2020
Burke / Concord / Lyndon / Lunenburg/ Newark / Sheffield / Sutton / Wheelock
Vermont
Deteriorating Facilities
Added costs
Continued deterioration of the Gilman facility:
Safety:
Basement , fire alarm/escape, ventilation, ansul, road fence
$210,000
Efficiency:
Heating Controls, insulation, windows
$75,000
Other:
Bathroom, grading, parking, landscaping (water) , elevator, makerspace
$270,000
Total anticipated upgrades
$555,000
What is the best way to provide a quality education with reasonable costs and sound decisions concerning the physical plant?
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Current Situation- facilities
Summer, 2020
Burke / Concord / Lyndon / Lunenburg/ Newark / Sheffield / Sutton / Wheelock
Vermont
Options & Costs
Rough estimates for a small addition to Lunenburg School for the 5th Grade
(If 6,7,8 combined with Concord)
$275,000 (reserve funds) Given pre-COVID-19 contractor and labor rates
1008 sq ft building
28’ X 36’, single story, concrete (poured slab) floor, baseboard heat, Includes removing gray water pumps, jack hammering out the current floor to install new pipe and a new buzz in system for the entry,installing a building management system so mechanical equipment can be programmed for efficiency. There would be space for storage added and the main office enlarged.
Gilman newer part of the building could be used for PreK, EEE and senior center, (still operated by the Kingdom East School District)
What is the best way to provide a quality education with reasonable costs and sound decisions concerning the physical plant?
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Current Situation: Personnel Challenges
Summer, 2020
Burke / Concord / Lyndon / Lunenburg/ Newark / Sheffield / Sutton / Wheelock
Vermont
Current employees
Attrition: experienced and qualified personnel at the middle school level at Gilman have left (science, humanities, nurse). It has been challenging to find replacements and the attrition and yearly changes is not as conducive to quality schools
Multi-age, dual endorsements (3 grades, 2 endorsements = 6 preparations)-- generally math and science teachers are in high demand, and the ones who apply do not have dual certification.
Estimated Enrollment - combined schools allows for specific content teaching and coaching, and focused use of personnel,
What is the best way to provide a quality education with personnel who have manageable and consistent roles in the lives of our children?
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Current situation: Academic Opportunities
Summer, 2020
Burke / Concord / Lyndon / Lunenburg/ Newark / Sheffield / Sutton / Wheelock
Vermont
Choice, diversity, participation
The current school configuration has some students in our district with expanded opportunities, and other students without those expanded opportunities. Combining both schools allows for academic opportunities available and equitable to all students (makerspace, technology, co-curricular)
What is the best way to provide a quality education with manageable and consistent adult teachers in the lives of our children?
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Tonight
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Concord & Lunenburg as one 6-8 middle school
How can community members have strong ties and relationships with their elementary school and also their middle schools?
SENSE OF COMMUNITY
HIGH SCHOOL CHOICE
LEADERSHIP & STAFF
How will high school choice and the transition to high school choice be impacted?
Are there opportunities for the dedicated and caring faculty, staff and leadership to work together?.
Elements of the KESD Strategic Plan
UNIQUENESS
SKILLS & INTERESTS
How can the rural location and two schools as one build resilience and a unique identity?
Are there expanded opportunities for exploring student interests and careers fostering placed based learning?
OUTDOOR RECREATION
Are there expanded opportunities for outdoor recreation?
“ Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”�-Nelson Mandela
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Questions to consider
Can one middle school provide an opportunity to deploy resources more effectively and efficiently?
SCALE
Can one middle school provide expanded student opportunities to pursue equity within reasonable economic constraints?
EQUITY
ENGAGED ELECTORATE
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY
How might the communities of Concord and Lunenburg see opportunities by combining middle schools?
Are there inequities in student opportunity that can be addressed?
OPPORTUNITIES
FACILITIES
Considering the GIlman and Concord facility, can we achieve overarching goals to address our facility and academic needs?
“ The function of education is teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Our Vision for our Schools
Do all students have access to a robust and enhanced middle school experience?
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Would combining provide greater access to foreign languages, technology, fine & performing arts, sports, drama, wellness and trades-based training?
EXPANDED OFFERINGS
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
HIGH QUALITY PRE-K
If combined can we assure learning occurs with individualized student plans guided through strong teacher relationships?
Pre-K offerings are high value and available to all families in the region. Can a Pre-K at Gilman and Concord bring assets to our towns?
ASPIRATIONS
WHOLE CHILD LEARNING
COST MANAGEMENT
Will combining provide learning that meets the educational, behavioral, health and emotional needs of students?
Would this shift allow continuous focus on value to taxpayers through close fiscal management?
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
How can combining keep strong community connections to support the learning of our students?
SCHOOL CHOICE
Can we maintain school choice in high school and Pre-K-8 inter-school options?
“ Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”�-Anthony J. D’Angelo
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Contributing to our desired results
ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
HEALTHY SCHOOL CULTURE
SUPERIOR FACILITIES
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
What configuration provides the greatest:
ATTRACT, HIRE & RETAIN HIGH PERFORMING EMPLOYEES
“ We want the education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded , and by which one can stand on one’s own feet”�-Swami Vivekananda
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Tonight
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#2 How could combined middle schools allow for character Development and Social and Emotional Health for all?
#3 How could the combination Maintain and Build Strong Community Connections?
#4 How would the combination provide Effective and Efficient Management of Resources?
#1 Robust Academics for All Students
Strategic Priorities
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#2 How could combined middle schools allow for character Development and Social and Emotional Health for all?
#3 How could the combination Maintain and Build Strong Community Connections?
#4 How could the combination provide Effective and Efficient Management of Resources?
#1 How could the combination provide robust Academics for All Students?
Questions to consider
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Tonight
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Tonight
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Next Steps
What more information would you like?
What other questions should we be asking?
Information collected will be shared and more conversation will occur at the August 20 meeting.
Thank you for your participation!