Saugerties Central School District Redistricting Proposal October 2005

What is redistricting?

Why redistrict? Comments made to me during interviews regarding overcrowding Comments made during Bond Campaign regarding imbalance Board’s directive to review these situations and come up with recommendations

Process Hiring of consultant and review of recommendations Internal review of student loads, class sizes, overcrowding impact, educational disadvantage

Benefits of Smaller Schools

Assuring educational equity for all students / equalized class sizes More intense hands on by key personnel—teachers, principal, social worker, nurse, etc., leading to increased achievement / test scores

Improved school climate—less overcrowding, smaller cafeteria periods, playground More positive social behavior Fewer discipline issues Stronger relationships—student to student, student to staff, school to community Easier to build a sense of community Easier to build a sense of belonging Less intimidating More effective crowd control

Ability of principal to have more time to spend in classroom, with teachers, with parents, on planning, etc.

Ability to better utilize school resources—library, gym station, cafeteria, custodial and maintenance issues Facilities better utilized and wear and tear equally distributed—parking areas, cafeteria, copying equipment, and technology equipment

The experience of a new school, new friends, teachers—students learn how to deal with change and new environment

Possible Negative Effects Trauma created by parents discussing their negative feelings about the move in front of their children Short term dislocation due to new environment. Kids are very resilient.

Comparison of Schools

Key Statistics for Saugerties

Grade Level Enrollment K Cahill Grant D. Morse Riccardi Mt. Marion

Building Enrollment CahillGrant D. Morse RiccardiMt. Marion

Balance School Enrollment Current Imbalance Projected Imbalance Cahill / Grant D. Morse Riccardi / Mt. Marion

Transportation Issues

Timeline August 2005—Report of Consultant to Board of Education September 2005—Recommendations presented to Board of Education October 2005—Presentations and Public Input November/ December 2005— Recommendations finalized; Board of Education votes Spring 2006—Planning and transition activities September 2006—New plan in place

Move approximately 65 students from Cahill to Morse Move approximately 45 students from Riccardi to Mt. Marion Current 5 th graders have option to remain in current school or move to new school with siblings

Current District Transportation Configuration

Cahill/Morse Proposed Changes

Riccardi/Mt. Marion Proposed Changes