1. Westport Public Schools
Middle School Scenarios
May 10, 2019

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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
State ED050 capacity excludes additional capacity being added to Bedford.

6. 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%

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. No change in elementary school districts

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

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

18. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. No change in elementary school districts

24. 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.

25. 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 , each grade would support four 4-teacher teams.
Aligns well with BOE’s preferred middle school instructional model.

26. 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
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

27. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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 , each grade would support four 4-teacher teams.
Aligns well with BOE’s preferred middle school instructional model.

31. 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
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

32. 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
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

33. ?
Questions