Westport Public Schools Middle School Scenarios May 10, 2019

Agenda BOE Guiding Criteria Recap of previous Scenarios Analysis of Potentially Viable Scenarios

BOE Guiding Criteria The BoE’s primary goal for redistricting is to improve the enrollment balance at both middle schools so that it can ensure the viability of each school and equity for all students. Guiding Criteria Instructional Model: maintain a minimum of 2 teams per grade with 4 teachers per team at each of the middle schools. Utilization: promote reasonable balancing of enrollment of schools to avoid over- utilization or under-utilization of facilities. Proximity: keep distances traveled by students as short as possible. This may result in students going to first or second nearest school. Equity: provide access to the same resources and programming for all students. Sustainability: ensure long-term sustainability of plan – 5 & 10 years. Disruption: minimize impact to families by not having a split feeder pattern at any of the Els. Redistricting options are guided by and weighed against these criteria to evaluate their viability. The needs of SPED would need to be integrated into these capacity numbers

Recap: Elementary Capacity Elementary School Baseline Functional Capacity (90% efficiency) Flex Classrooms Flex Capacity Total Potential Capacity (90% efficiency) October 2018 Enrollment Seat Surplus/Deficit Utilization Coleytown* 403 2 * 45 448 383 65 85.5% Green's Farms 3 68 516 113 78.1% King's Highway 508 1 23 531 471 60 88.7% Long Lots 595 618 544 74 88.0% Saugatuck 2 553 466 87 84.3% Total K-5 2,462 9 204 2,666 2,267 399 85.0% * Coleytown’s capacity excludes 5 full-size Pre-K classrooms Flex Capacity – includes rooms that could be used for grade-level instruction if enrollment pressures warranted. Adds 204 seats districtwide. Flex capacity was confirmed with building leadership in May 2019. Total Potential Capacity – includes both flex capacity and existing full-sized classrooms operating at 90% efficiency. Includes K-5 space only. The needs of SPED would need to be integrated into these capacity numbers

Recap: Middle School Capacity State ED050 Capacity Current 6-8 Enrollment (10/1/2018) Utilization Coleytown Middle School 600 456 76.0% Bedford Middle School 800 860 107.5% Total 1,400 1,316 94.0% Source: Connecticut State Department of Education Middle schools not evaluated as part of previous capacity analysis. Relied on state-reported capacity (ED050 form), which was last updated in 2013. State ED050 capacity excludes additional capacity being added to Bedford.

Summary of Scenarios # Scenario Grade Reconfigurations School Closed Viability based on current square footage Student Impacts Enrollment Balance Scenarios 1 through 4 have been eliminated from consideration 5 Close Coleytown ES and relocate Pre-K to Long Lots ES Existing configuration maintained Coleytown ES Requires additional space - Elementary schools overutilized 6 Close Greens Farms ES and move Pre-K to a Non-Elementary Building Move Pre-K to a non-elementary building Greens Farms ES 7 Balance elementary enrollment and move Pre-K to Coleytown MS Move Pre-K to Coleytown Middle School None No additional space needed Elem: Moderate Mid: Minimal Elem: Good Mid: Fair 8 Balance elementary enrollment and relocate Pre-K to Long Lots ES Elem: Good Mid: Poor 9 Balance Middle School Enrollments May require additional space Elem: Significant Mid: Moderate Elem: Poor Mid: Good 10 Balance Elementary Enrollments and Reconfigure the grades of the Middle Schools Convert Coleytown MS to 6th grade academy and house 7-8th grades at Bedford Elem: Moderate Mid: Significant 11 Maintain existing elementary feeder pattern and redistrict to hit target capacity of 540 at Coleytown MS Elem: Moderate Mid: Moderate 12 Retain direct feeder, but modify feeder pattern to hit target capacity of 540 at Coleytown MS (version 1) Elem: None Mid: Significant Elem: Fair Mid: Good 13 Balance both elementary and middle school enrollments by implementing a split feeder pattern Elem: Good Mid: Good 14 Retain direct feeder, but modify feeder pattern to hit target capacity of 540 at Coleytown MS (version 2) Elem: Fair Mid: Fair Student Impacts: Minimal: <5% redistricted; Moderate: 5% to 10% redistricted; Significant: >10% redistricted   Enrollment Balance: Good: utilization range <10%; Fair: utilization range 10% to 15%; Poor: utilization range>15%

Key Findings from Scenarios There is not enough capacity at the elementary school level to close a school without adding additional space elsewhere. You can not balance both middle school and elementary school enrollments based on the existing feeder pattern. Split feeder pattern or modified direct feeder pattern may be viable.

Middle School Scenarios Given the BOE’s primary focus on the enrollment balance, equity, and viability at the middle school level, the following scenarios were explored in greater detail relative to the Guiding Criteria. The Split Middle School Feeder Pattern (Scenario 13) was not evaluated further, since it does not align with the Guiding Criteria. Maintain current 6-8 Configuration 6th Grade Academy and 7th -8th Grade Academy Status Quo Modified Direct Feeder Pattern 6th Grade Academy 6th Grade Academy With Pocket Redistricting The needs of SPED would need to be integrated into these capacity numbers Scenarios are not recommendations and are presented for informational purposes only. The scenarios are intended to help the BOE understand the viability of different alternatives from an enrollment and capacity perspective.

Maintain Status Quo Assumptions: Maintain current elementary (K-5) and middle school (6-8) configuration. Both middle schools return to a 6-8 format once Coleytown Middle School reopens. No changes to current attendance zones or feeder patterns. Long Lots, Greens Farms, and Saugatuck to Bedford Middle School. Pre-K remains a Coleytown Elementary School.

No change in elementary school districts

Maintain Status Quo: Elementary Schools If the district maintains the status quo, there is ample capacity within the elementary school system to meet the district’s needs over the next ten years. Enrollment is not projected to exceed the baseline functional capacity over the next decade.

Maintain Status Quo: Elementary Schools No schools are projected to exceed 90% utilization until year 10 of projections. Lowest utilization at Green’s Farms and highest utilization at Coleytown and Long Lots. Existing elementary schools districts are projected to have reasonable enrollment balance over the next decade.

Maintain Status Quo: Middle Schools If the district maintains the status quo, there is ample total capacity within the middle school system to meet the district’s needs over the next ten years. However, the imbalance between the two middle schools will persist.

Maintain Status Quo: Middle Schools Projected enrollment at CMS is not large enough to support two 4-teacher teams per grade. Most years would only support one 6-teacher team in each grade. Projected enrollment at BMS is too large to support two 4-teacher teams per grade. Most years would have one 4-teacher team and one 6-teacher team in each grade, or three 4-teacher teams. Does not align with BOE’s preferred middle school instructional model.

Maintain Status Quo: Considerations Guiding Criteria Status Quo Scenario Primary Goal: Improve the enrollment balance at both middle schools so that it can ensure the viability of each school and equity for all students. X Instructional Model: Maintain a minimum of 2 teams per grade with 4 teachers per team at each middle school Only supports one team at CMS. Does not support 4-teachers per team. Utilization: Promote reasonable balancing of enrollment of schools to avoid over-utilization or under-utilization of facilities. No change from status quo Proximity: Keep distances traveled by students as short as possible. This may result in students going to first or second nearest school. Equity: Provide access to the same resources and programming for all students Sustainability: Ensure long-term sustainability of plan – 5 & 10 years. Does not provide a sustainable balance of middle school enrollments Disruption: Minimize impact to families by not having a split feeder pattern at any of the Els.

Modified Direct Feeder Pattern Based on Scenario 12. Assumptions: Maintain existing elementary school districts. Modify the Middle School Feeder Pattern: Coleytown and Long Lots to Coleytown Middle School. Kings Highway, Greens Farms, and Saugatuck to Bedford Middle School. Maintain Pre-K in the Coleytown Elementary School building

No change in elementary school districts Scenario 12 Elementary Districts No change in elementary school districts

Modified Direct Feeder Pattern: Elementary Schools No schools are projected to exceed 90% utilization until year 10 of projections. Lowest utilization at Green’s Farms and highest utilization at Coleytown and Long Lots. Existing elementary schools districts are projected to have reasonable enrollment balance over the next decade.

Modified Direct Feeder Pattern: Middle Schools Improved balance between the middle schools. CMS hits two 4-teacher teams per grade target for most schools years. Projected enrollment at BMS is too large to support two 4-teacher teams. Most years would have one 4-teacher team and one 6-teacher team in each grade.

Modified Direct Feeder Pattern : Considerations Guiding Criteria Modified Direct Feeder Pattern Scenario Primary Goal: Improve the enrollment balance at both middle schools so that it can ensure the viability of each school and equity for all students. Ö Instructional Model: Maintain a minimum of 2 teams per grade with 4 teachers per team at each middle school Generally supports two teams per grade at each middle school. Mix of 4 and 6 teacher teams Utilization: Promote reasonable balancing of enrollment of schools to avoid over-utilization or under-utilization of facilities. Improved balance at middle school level. No change at elementary school level Proximity: Keep distances traveled by students as short as possible. This may result in students going to first or second nearest school. Longer middle school travel times. Students in the Long Lots district would no longer attend BMS. Equity: Provide access to the same resources and programming for all students Maintains two middle schools, but more equitable teaming than status quo. Sustainability: Ensure long-term sustainability of plan – 5 & 10 years. Viable from a capacity standpoint. However, doesn’t align with desired instructional model every year. Disruption: Minimize impact to families by not having a split feeder pattern at any of the Els. ~44% of MS students redistricted No ES redistricting

6th Grade Academy Model Based on Scenario 10 for middle schools Status quo for elementary schools Assumptions: Maintain current elementary (K-5) school configuration. No change to existing elementary school districts or feeder patterns. Pre-K remains a Coleytown Elementary School. Coleytown Middle School converted into a 6th grade academy. Bedford Middle School converted into a 7th-8th grade academy.

No change in elementary school districts

6th Grade Academy: Elementary Schools No schools are projected to exceed 90% utilization until year 10 of projections. Lowest utilization at Green’s Farms and highest utilization at Coleytown and Long Lots. Existing elementary schools districts are projected to have reasonable enrollment balance over the next decade.

6th Grade Academy: Middle Schools Consolidation of grades allows for more efficient teaming structure. Some larger teams projected over the next three schools years (corresponding with larger individual classes). However, beginning in 2022-23, each grade would support four 4-teacher teams. Aligns well with BOE’s preferred middle school instructional model.

6th Grade Academy: Considerations Guiding Criteria 6th Grade Academy Scenario Primary Goal: Improve the enrollment balance at both middle schools so that it can ensure the viability of each school and equity for all students. Ö Instructional Model: Maintain a minimum of 2 teams per grade with 4 teachers per team at each middle school Supports four 4-teacher teams in each grade beginning in 2022-23 Utilization: Promote reasonable balancing of enrollment of schools to avoid over-utilization or under-utilization of facilities. CMS remains underutilized, though efficiently used. No change at the elementary level. Proximity: Keep distances traveled by students as short as possible. This may result in students going to first or second nearest school. Longer middle school travel times Equity: Provide access to the same resources and programming for all students All students would follow the same middle school pathway Sustainability: Ensure long-term sustainability of plan – 5 & 10 years. Sustainable over the next 5 to 10 years Disruption: Minimize impact to families by not having a split feeder pattern at any of the Els. No redistricting impacts if implemented when CMS reopens

6th Grade Academy with Pocket Redistricting Based on Scenario 10 for middle schools New pocket redistricting scenario for elementary schools Assumptions: Maintain current elementary (K-5) school configuration. Pocket redistricting at the elementary level to balance utilization. Pre-K remains a Coleytown Elementary School. Coleytown Middle School converted into a 6th grade academy. Bedford Middle School converted into a 7th-8th grade academy.

6th Grade Academy with Pocket Redistricting: Elementary Schools No schools are projected to exceed 90% utilization until year 10 of projections. Lowest utilization at Saugatuck and highest utilization at Coleytown and Long Lots. Districts are projected to have reasonable enrollment balance over the next decade. Slightly better than utilization balance than status quo.

6th Grade Academy with Pocket Redistricting: Middle Schools Consolidation of grades allows for more efficient teaming structure. Some larger teams projected over the next three schools years (corresponding with larger individual classes). However, beginning in 2022-23, each grade would support four 4-teacher teams. Aligns well with BOE’s preferred middle school instructional model.

6th Grade Academy with Pocket Redistricting: Considerations Guiding Criteria 6th Grade Academy with Pocket Redistricting Primary Goal: Improve the enrollment balance at both middle schools so that it can ensure the viability of each school and equity for all students. Ö Instructional Model: Maintain a minimum of 2 teams per grade with 4 teachers per team at each middle school Supports four 4-teacher teams in each grade beginning in 2022-23 Utilization: Promote reasonable balancing of enrollment of schools to avoid over-utilization or under-utilization of facilities. CMS remains underutilized, though efficiently used. No change at the elementary level. Proximity: Keep distances traveled by students as short as possible. This may result in students going to first or second nearest school. Longer middle school travel times Equity: Provide access to the same resources and programming for all students All students would follow the same middle school pathway Sustainability: Ensure long-term sustainability of plan – 5 & 10 years. Sustainable over the next 5 to 10 years Disruption: Minimize impact to families by not having a split feeder pattern at any of the Els. ~4% of ES students (small peer groups) No MS impacts if implemented when CMS reopens

Scenario Summary Guiding Criteria Status Quo Scenario Modified Direct Feeder Pattern 6th Grade Academy 6th Grade Academy w/ Pocket Redistricting Primary Goal: Improve the enrollment balance at both middle schools so that it can ensure the viability of each school and equity for all students. X Ö Instructional Model: Maintain a minimum of 2 teams per grade with 4 teachers per team at each middle school Only supports one team at CMS. Does not support 4-teachers per team. Generally supports two teams per grade at each middle school. Mix of 4 and 6 teacher teams Supports four 4-teacher teams in each grade beginning in 2022-23 Utilization: Promote reasonable balancing of enrollment of schools to avoid over-utilization or under-utilization of facilities. No change from status quo Balanced at middle school level. No change at elementary school level CMS remains underutilized, though efficiently used. No change at the elementary level. CMS remains underutilized, though efficiently used. Improved balance at elementary school level. Proximity: Keep distances traveled by students as short as possible. This may result in students going to first or second nearest school. Longer middle school travel times. Students in the Long Lots district would no longer attend BMS. Longer middle school travel times Equity: Provide access to the same resources and programming for all students Maintains two middle schools, but more equitable teaming than status quo. All students would follow the same middle school pathway Sustainability: Ensure long-term sustainability of plan – 5 & 10 years. Does not provide a sustainable balance of middle school enrollments Sustainable over the next 5 to 10 years Disruption: Minimize impact to families by not having a split feeder pattern at any of the Els. ~44% of MS students redistricted No ES impacts None if implemented when CMS reopens ~4% of ES students (small peer groups) No MS impacts if implemented when CMS reopens The 6th Grade Academy model, with or without pocket redistricting, best aligns with BOE’s guiding criteria

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