1. UPDATE ON CONVERSION OF HERITAGE AND NEEDHAM ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS TO K-6
LODI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
NOVEMBER 17, 2009

2. RATIONALE/INFORMATION
Strong Community Interest
Board of Education Interest
Allows for a seven year vision of learning for students
Maximize student/family relationships over seven years instead of three or four
Would not affect QEIA funding at Needham
Considered at staff level in 08-09, postponed due to budget crisis

3. PROJECTED COST
*Conversion of Needham classroom to accommodate kindergarten: $22,000.
Addition of primary playground area and equipment:
$21,208.
Total: ** $43,208.
* This cost reflects the construction of a restroom and a second door within an existing classroom. The remainder of the classroom renovation would be covered under the State funded Emergency Repair Project.
** Requires allocation of general fund resources

4. (* if guided to proceed)
TIMELINE
November 17th: Update/Guidance - Board of Education
*December: Attendance Boundary Forum
*January: Report/Action on new attendance boundary and allocation of resources to the Needham project
*Heritage/Needham conversion to K-6 for
(* if guided to proceed)

5. RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Board postpone the conversion of Heritage and Needham Elementary Schools for reconsideration for or delay the direction to staff until after the Governor’s Budget is released in January.
The recent change in Board Policy 5116 would allow the district to hold the community forum in February and finalize new attendance boundaries in April, three months prior to the beginning of school.