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Meeting Date:
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8/31/2017 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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Reports and Communications from the Superintendent of Schools
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Type:
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Action
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Subject:
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1. Action on a Request to Waive Administrative Policy 5.01(8)(B) to Close Daniel Webster Secondary School (6850 N. 53rd Street) at the Close of the School Day on September 1, 2017, and to Waive Board Rule 1.09 (2) to Allow Public Testimony
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 1 Academic Achievement
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Attachments
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Detailed Report
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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Universal Academy for the College Bound (UACB), Webster Campus, was established as a non-instrumentality charter school in fall 2013, serving grades 6-10. In March 2017, the Board approved the mutual termination of the non-instrumentality charter school contract with UACB, effective April 7, 2017. Board action authorized the Administration to operate the Webster Campus as a traditional MPS school named Daniel Webster Secondary School, effective April 10, 2017.
Effective April 10, 2017, the Administration took leadership of the school and directed resources as necessary to mitigate disruption and provide for a smooth transition for students, families and staff.
The Administration has placed great emphasis on working with families to enroll their children at the school. Student Services encouraged families looking for seats to enroll in Daniel Webster Secondary School. Auto dialers were sent to inform families of the start date and time for Daniel Webster Secondary School.
Despite these efforts, Daniel Webster Secondary School remains under-enrolled at 269 students. Having achieved a total school enrollment of just 40% as of August 29, 2017, there are not enough students to to offer the robust academic programs every MPS student deserves. Therefore, the Administration is recommending the closure of the school effective at the close of the school day on September 1, 2017.
Parents were notified of this recommendation via a letter and auto dialer that invited them to attend meetings to learn more about the recommendation and their options. Two meetings were held on August 30, 2017, and two meetings were held on August 31, 2017. In addition, Student Services staff provided support to families for enrolling in another MPS school. Staff members were informed of the recommended closure on August 29, 2017 at a staff meeting and were provided with a letter outlining reasons for the closure as well as the plan for staff placements in other buildings within the district.
To reduce disruption, it is recommended that middle school students move to Morse and high school students move to James Madison Academic Campus (JMAC) or Vincent High School. Each of these sites offers specialized programming: Morse Middle School for the Gifted and Talented focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and college preparation; both JMAC and Vincent High School offer the Culinary Arts program and Vincent High School offers an Agricultural Science program. Parents will also have the option of selecting other placements where there are available seats. The Department of Student Services will make every effort to assist families in making this transition including several opportunities to assist in selecting the MPS option that is best for each child.
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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Closure of the Webster campus will result in fiscal year 2017-18 district savings estimated to be $1.5 million. This is the result of reduced positions and other costs for administration, support, building operations and a reduction in the enrollment reserve. Webster staff will be reassigned to vacant positions elsewhere in the district.
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Implementation and Assessment Plan
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Upon approval by the Board, the Administration will close Webster Secondary School and will move students and staff as outlined above.
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Recommendation:
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The Administration recommends that the Board:
1. waive Board Rule 1.09(2) in order to receive public testimony prior to taking action on this item;
2. waive Administrative Policy 5.01(8)(b), as it relates to the December 31 deadline for taking action on specific schools that will be closed the following year; and
3. close Daniel Webster Secondary School at the end of the school day on September 1, 2017.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Darienne Driver - Superintendent
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