Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy School Expansion Committee September 12, 2017

Agenda Presentation of School Expansion Consideration The What? The Why? The How? The When? Introduce Committee Members Discuss Benefits and Challenges Interactive Dialogue seeking Community Input Next Steps

The What? Scholars Academy contemplating the purchase of a nearby building to: Allow for a separate and distinct middle school facility Allow for expansion from 2 classrooms / grade to 3 classrooms / grade In 2014, discussions were held to consider purchasing the building directly next door to ours, 5301. It was not pursued. Over the past few months, discussions held to consider: Purchasing the building two down, 5435 (22k square feet) Purchase the unleased half of 5301 (11k square feet) Purchase the overflow parking lot Purchase excess land behind overflow parking lot for green space

The Why? School Administration has expressed the need for a distinct middle school with 3 classrooms per grade (across K-8) Distinct middle school The school has struggled with a distinction between “middle school” grades and “elementary grades” – creates a feel of elementary at all grades Teacher survey feedback was clear that this impacts teacher morale and teacher collaboration Graduates have noted the sharp impact of high school transition 3 classrooms per grade Middle school subjects require more differentiation based on student ability (last 3 years has seen this clearly with math and language arts) Provides better social and emotional environment with more classmates during K-8 schooling and in preparation for larger high schools Wait list for grades K-2 (often 3rd as well) held a full classroom for at least past 3 years Allows us to serve more gifted children – as the only school of its kind in the state

The How? New Building The below is a sketch of 5435 set up as a separate middle school for Scholars Includes Art, Technology, Language, Science Lab Does not include PE, Music or Cafeteria 7th Grade 6th Grade 8th Grade

The How? Current Building Revamped

The How? Financial Considerations

The When? Sept – Nov 2017 Jan – July 2018 August 2018 August 2019 Committee to Analyze Expansion Possibility Official Construction Design Committee Reports to Board Board Decision to Purchase Made by End of November Middle School Leadership Hired New Building is Upfit to Middle School Design Operational Changes Made to both Middle and Elem Schools Hire Additional Teachers and Staff Summer – Space Changes to Elem School Phase-in of New School Structure First Year of New Middle School – Grades 6-8 Move in with only 2 classrooms / grade Over 2-3 year period, add classrooms Initial Year – likely only K-3 Each Summer – Hire Additional Teachers and Staff

Committee Members Rob Watson, Board Chair Jack Wagler, Board Vice Chair Manish Mittal, Board Treasurer Jessica Cuneo, Executive Director Ari Pieper, Associate Director TBD, Staff / Teacher Jen Wootten, Parent of current student and alumnus Deniz Sari, Parent of current student Tomas Eliaeson, Parent of current students Brad Chatigny, Parent of current students and former Board chair Brittany Watson, Parent of current students

Challenges Resources – Need separate Middle / Elem administrators and additional staff Financial Resources Operational challenges Crowded cafeteria Walking between buildings Drop off / pick up process and timing Likely need to address 5th / 6th grade teacher sharing process Timing – could we be ready for the 2018-2019 school year

Next Steps School Expansion Committee to meet Review the Potential Discuss Community Input Plan for Additional Input Continue discussions with Real Estate Consultants Official Construction Design Map If desire to open by 2018-2019 School year, would need to make Decision by End of November 2017