Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 2/16/2017 - 6:30 PM
Category: ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Type: Action
Subject: 13. Action on Request to Approve the Expansion of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning (WCLL) (1017 N. 12th Street) to 400 High School Seats with the Start of the 2017-18 School Year
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 1
Academic Achievement
Goal 2
Student, Family and Community Engagement
Goal 3
Effective and Efficient Operations
Policy: Admin Policy 1.01 - Vision, Mission, Core Beliefs, and Goals
Attachments
File Attachment:
Background: In order to increase effective and efficient operations and prepare for the FY18 budget, the Administration is bringing forward a series of items focused on proposed changes related to regional development.

The Administration has historically examined the needs of our families, along with district data to provide programming that best supports each school community. Data that are routinely examined include, but are not limited to, school enrollment, requests for programs versus seats available/program need, school budgets, feeder patterns, and school performance.

In an effort to continue to better serve our students and families, the Administration has conducted an assessment of programs to expand access through additional seats; to expand access to programs and to strengthen feeder patterns through grade realignment; to create schools within schools; and to merge or close programs to better support students and to achieve greater operational efficiency.

Outcomes of the assessment include a recommendation for the expansion of Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning (WCLL) to 400 high-school seats to accommodate students of Community High School and New School for Community Service, if those schools are approved to be closed at the end of the 2016-17 school year. WCLL will provide those and other students with the opportunity to experience a more comprehensive high-school program at a larger school that is able to offer more coursework and the ability to better leverage partnerships and apprenticeships. Based on this rationale, students from Community High School and New School for Community Service would be encouraged to attend the expanded program at WCLL or other MPS high schools that would best meet each student's academic and personal needs. The proposed expansion of the WCLL program will allow students to access a fuller, more comprehensive academic program along with other opportunities to enhance the high-school experience.

The official fall enrollment count for WCLL was 213 students. WCLL has a Fails to Meet Expectations rating on the State Report Card.

The proposed expansion of WCLL has been discussed at meetings with the school leadership, staff, and families.
Fiscal Impact Statement: This item does not authorize expenditures. Any costs or savings associated with the expansion of WCLL to 400 high-school seats and will be included as part of the FY18 budget.
Implementation and Assessment Plan Upon approval by the Board, the Administration will work with the school communities and respective departments to move forward with the expansion of WCLL to 400 seats.
Recommendation: The Administration recommends that the Board approve the expansion of Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning (WCLL) (1017 N. 12th Street) to 400 high-school seats with the start of the 2017-18 school year.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Gina Spang - Chief of Staff
Signed By:
Keith Posley - Chief
Signed By:
Dr. Darienne Driver - Superintendent