Regional Agreement Committee meeting March 10 th 2015

Agenda  Review the goal of our meeting.  Ground Rules.  Share Data Compilation.  Review Next Steps.  Develop subgroups to accomplish tasks needed for next steps.  Subgroups create a timeline to achieve tasks outlined.

Why are we here? To consider if modifying the policy will provide equal opportunity for all children in the district with the resources we currently have. How will we do this? Review Data Small Group discussion Large group share

Regional Agreement Survey and Data Compilation

. What are the strengths in our current model of separate town schools?

Consistent Strengths Students and Community StaffingFacility Time students spend on the bus High Quality staffingClean Buildings Going to school with children (neighbors from the same town) Communication easier with smaller staff Know, understand, and build relationships with students K-5 Sense of community

What are the weaknesses in our current model of separate town schools?

Consistent Areas of weakness Class SizeCommon Planning ResourcesSpecial Ed. Services Other Fluctuation of class size Grade level teachers cannot easily meet and collaborate Inequity of supplies and materials** 5+ comments Not using staff effectively Students receive different levels of rigor across both towns Bi-weekly specials (lack of enrichment) ** 6+ comments

Middle School Teacher Survey 24 teachers answered the survey As a middle school teacher do you feel that students in both towns enter middle school with similar academic backgrounds? As students from both towns come together in middle school, how would you rate this transition academically on a scale from 1-4? As students from both towns come together in middle school, how would you rate this transition socially on a scale from 1-4?

As a middle school teacher do you feel that students in both towns enter middle school with similar academic backgrounds?

As students from both towns come together in middle school, how would you rate this transition academically on a scale from 1-4? 1-0%Very Difficult 2- 4% 3- 63% 4- 33% Smooth

As students from both towns come together in middle school, how would you rate this transition socially on a scale from 1-4? 1-0%Very Difficult 2- 4% 3- 63% 4- 33% Smooth

Middle School Student Survey Results 127 responses Blackstone 61% Millville 39% How did you feel the summer leading into your first day of school knowing you were going to meet new kids from another town? After having made friends with someone from Millville do you feel that your elementary experience was the same Blackstone? (Vise Versa) Do you wish you had the opportunity to come together earlier than middle school?

How did you feel the summer leading into your first day of school knowing you were going to meet new kids from another town?

After having made friends with someone from Millville do you feel that your elementary experience was the same Blackstone? (Vise Versa)

Do you wish you had the opportunity to come together earlier than middle school?

Where do we go from here? Parents: Look at if this was done, how would it change our current model? Would the weaknesses improve? Older Grades have separate specific, core subjects using consistent staffing PreK-2nd and 3-5 ………………Question: Would this be possible with transportation? More time for specials and enrichment and community involvement Become one community by combining schools Pre-K-2 and 3-5 Millville PreK JFK 2-3 AFM 4+5 Nor more itinerant specialists enough admin/guidance/nurses to support the numbers Pre-K and 1 housed together, 2nd and 3rd JFK, 4th and 5th AFM One School K-2 Millville + Blackstone, 3-5 Millville + Blackstone

What opportunities do you see coming out of these discussions? Teachers Follow through, and research other towns Gather student input and community input Make the final and utmost decision = Student Achievement Prioritize and address weaknesses

Survey Results from both towns:

On a scale of 1-5. how happy are you with the current division of Elementary Schools and classes within BMRDSC?

Do you feel that our Elementary Schools are functioning to support the learning of all children in our District?

Do you believe the classroom spaces at all schools are being utilized to their potential?

If you had a child transition from the Elementary School to the Middle School - how easy was the transition for your child?

If you have sent a child to a school outside of the District, what where the main factors that influenced your decision? Indicate all that apply

What next? Brainstorm Next Steps. Brainstorm tasks that need to be accomplished. Create Subgroups for tasks and action plans to follow through with the tasks.