Grade 7-8 Educational Options Study, 2015 Key Study Findings and Next Steps October 2015

Key Study Findings If FUSD and GSD students were combined into a new grade 7-8 educational program offered through WSCUHSD, there would be approximately $1.1 million in additional funding for these students. This would be enough funding for WSCUHSD to offer an enhanced program. WSCUHSD would hire the staff for grades 7-8.

Elementary District Impacts Due to declining enrollment, FUSD will likely need to reduce the existing grade 7-8 departmentalized program. By offering the grade 7-8 program through WSCUHSD there would be more funding for students in grades K-6 and 7-8 in FUSD. The GSD Board reviewed the study and additional projected financial information at its October 12 th meeting. The financial information showed that GSD would need to have more than a 5% increase in property tax value to generate enough funding to operate the K-6 program. Over the last 12 years the average has been 4.35%. If GSD was to be funded under LCFF, then there would be a $200,000 shortfall beginning in With a 2-2 vote, GSD will no longer participate in the study. With grade 7-8 students from GSD not attending the combined grade 7-8 program, the program would need to be adjusted based on the funding available (Approx. $640,000).

Education Code Education Code Section gives WSCUHSD the authority to establish a junior high school. There is no language about K-8 districts choosing to not offer a grade 7-8 program. This is a district level issue. Language on inter-district transfers recommends a MOU. (The Districts will work together on a MOU).

New Educational Program The new West County grade 7-8 program will be created with input from staff, parents and students. The school will focus on the needs of grade 7-8 students through hands-on learning, increased counseling, and more enrichment/elective opportunities linked with EMHS. There will be increased articulation with EMHS to prepare students for high school.

Staffing K-8 school districts will lay off staff based on their contracts since grades 7-8 will no longer be offered. There will be an MOU developed that addresses hiring issues such as first interview rights. WSCUHSD hires staff. There are no hiring guarantees. The FTE will need to be determined based on the number of students.

Implementation Planning An action plan has been developed. Tasks will be checked off as completed. Boards will receive monthly updates. There is a communication plan within the action plan. District superintendents will meet monthly for planning. A joint district Charter School Planning Team will develop the new school program and charter.

Upcoming Steps November Meet with staff and parents Student focus groups Meet with associations Joint Board meeting Develop coordinated schedule of teacher planning articulation meetings Hold first Charter School Planning Team meeting to define the school program and charter content Suggestion: Provide opportunities for parents from feeder school districts to give input on program development.

Upcoming Steps December Develop key elements of the school charter Continue meeting with associations Develop MOU content Board update January Charter developed Charter presented to Boards as information item. (WSCUHSD will take action on the charter in February.) Districts take action to offer grade 7-8 program in WSCUHSD (This could be moved up. The January date was set to provide more time for financial data in GSD.)

Input Needed from Boards To provide adequate time for planning Boards are asked to take action to:  Participate in a joint-district Board meeting in November to discuss content for an MOU, the grade 7-8 development process and to appoint Grade 7-8 Charter School Planning Team members. 2) Indicate meaningful interest in participating in the grade 7-8 program through WSCUHSD