1. Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy School Expansion Committee
September 12, 2017

2. 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

3. 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, 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. The How? Current Building Revamped

7. The How? Financial Considerations

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 school year

11. 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 School year, would need to make Decision by End of November 2017