1. Wilson School District Tuesday, November 29, 2011 6:00pm The official vote on this issue will take place during the first week in March.

2. Review information related to both Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing Elementary Schools. Review the qualifications, procedures and data developed by E I Associates. Speak to the present Wilson experience as well as the challenges we face currently and those we anticipate in the future. Hear concerns and questions from our community.

3. Lincoln Park Built 1948 Renovated 1954-57 West Wyomissing Built 1936 Renovated 1961 Lincoln Park & West Wyomissing

4. Firm Overview  More than 300 Educational Facilities since 1985  More than 180 Master Plans since 1985  40 in-house staff at Harrisburg Office  5 LEED AP on staff at Harrisburg Office  20 LEED Designed Projects  6 LEED Certified Projects ® ® ®

5. Alternatives Considered The Wilson School Board is considering four options, as presented by EI Associates, as we continue to work through our due diligence on this topic:  Option 1Renovate both Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing $ 9,400,000.00  Option 2 Additions to existing buildings along with closure of Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing.$ 4,000,000.00  Option 3Build a new elementary to replace Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing. $ 13,000,000.00  Option 4 Renovations to existing elementary buildings to accommodate additional students along with closure of Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing.$ 2,300,000.00 After considering all options the Wilson School Board will make a decision as to which option is in the best interest of the district.

6. Staffing  Staffing is always the largest part of our budgeted expenses as it is in every school district.  If the decision is to close we would experience substantial savings in this area.  As part of the redistricting/closure process none of our grade level classroom teachers nor Principal Flannery would be without a position.  We very much value all the employees we have here at Wilson. In keeping with this appreciation we would work in an intentional manner to handle all professional/support staff job eliminations through transfers which open up through attrition/retirement as much as is possible.

7. Utility Savings: Lincoln Park $ 42,067.00 West Wyomissing $ 69,751.00 Total Annual Cost Avoidance: $ 111,818.00 Staff Savings: Lincoln Park $ 139,670.72 West Wyomissing $ 213,214.50 LP/WW $ 79,277.33 Food Service $ 47,644.26 Total Annual Cost Avoidance: $ 376,852.30 Total Annual Cost Avoidance: $ 591,514.81 * Important to note that due to redistricting there would be changes in transportation costs. The original estimated annual increase would be $ 104,355.00. In the first year the cost would be estimated at $ 374,355.00 due to the purchase of additional buses. Again, this figure will change based upon the redistricting model that is implemented. Annual Cost Savings (if closure is the selected option)

8. An Analysis of Enrollment and Enrollment Projections  Since school construction programs are based in a large part on estimates of school enrollment, fairly reliable population and enrollment projections are essential to sound plant planning. However, because of the number of interrelated factors which influence school enrollment (population growth, local birth rate, local zoning ordinances, home building activity, waste-water treatment, nearby employment opportunities, children attending non public schools, etc.), it is difficult to make an exact prediction of future enrollment in the Wilson School District.

9. Uncertain events can influence and alter pupil projections such that no projections, no matter how carefully constructed, will be completely accurate. Mitigating issues include birth data; migration patterns; internal policies (such as, retention and acceleration of pupils, age requirements for admission to school, full day kindergarten programs, who provides special education programs and to whom they are provided); statewide policies on “school choice,” vouchers, and other aspects of the educational program; the formation and/or termination of charter schools; transfers of pupils between school districts which are permitted under the “No Child Left Behind” law when individual schools fail to meet one or more state standards or goals for two consecutive years; economic climate; zoning and land use controls; infrastructure considerations; Additional Considerations

10. Much of the turnover involves lower-priced housing (i.e., compared with new construction costs and the prices of existing houses elsewhere in Berks County) which will likely continue to attract younger families who are looking to buy “starter homes.” If turnover accelerates dramatically, additional changes in the demographic mix could occur, and this may have a further impact on the district’s enrollments. The district should be mindful of this potential. Trends in population and housing units in the Wilson School District have not had a direct correlation with public school patterns. While population and housing units increased during the 1970s (at noticeably different rates), public school enrollments decreased. In the 1990s population, housing units, and enrollments all increased, and the rate of growth in enrollments surpassed that of the total population and housing units by a factor of about 50 percent. Turnover of Existing Homes & Enrollment Trends

11. Enrollment projections for the Wilson School District were prepared using the “grade progression” technique, which is based on the ratio of enrollments in a given grade in a given year to enrollments in the next lower grade in the preceding year. The grade progression formula was developed by reviewing the recent experience in the district with respect to pupil progression and tempering that with the various community growth data which were analyzed. This approach is designed to detect such factors as in-or-out migration of pupils; transfer of pupils between public and nonpublic schools, and into and out of special programs; withdrawals; promotional policies; and participation in any full-time vocational-technical program. Mechanics of Enrollment Projections

12. Elementary Schools  Build an elementary school similar to Spring Ridge on the present southern site for opening in the 1997-98 school year.  In 1997-98, close one or more elementary schools that do not meet the standards of Whitfield, Cornwall Terrace or Spring Ridge.  Acquire another site for possible elementary school construction needs after 2004. Lower Heidelberg Township would seem the most advantageous location. April 21, 1995 – Board of Education Special Facilities meeting: Report on recommendations – Elementary & Junior High

13. Wilson School District ~ 2012-2013 Elementary Enrollments (Maximum) SCHOOL K123452011-12 2012-13TOTALS Cornwall Terrace 24 27 612 24 27 Sub-Total 96 108 543 Green Valley 24 27 612 24 27 Sub-Total 96 108 389 Shiloh Hills 24 27 612 24 27 Sub-Total 96 108 385 Spring Ridge 24 27 612 24 27 Sub-Total 96 108 420 Sub-Total 22 27 Whitfield 24 22 27 612 24 22 27 Sub-Total 480 540 584 TOTALS374 459 2,6263,060(+ 434) Avg. Class Size22.0 27.0 # of Sections17

14. Enrollment Projections for Wilson School District Prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Education May 16, 2003 YEARK123456789101112TOTAL 1997-1998 322366332303364 370347338403330350325 4,514 1998-1999 320376358351326375376381352 399334335 4,635 1999-2000 305377361362350345386406386357360387315 4,697 2000-2001 317362375373389370362402409399374364377 4,873 2001-2002 345347352392398410395396410420415365353 4,998 PROJECTIONS 2002-2003 302359338364413420428419401421430411350 5,056 2003-2004 323315350 383436438454424412431426394 5,136 2004-2005 366337307362368404455464460436422427409 5,217 2005-2006 403382329318381388422482470473446418410 5,322 2006-2007 411420372341335402405447488483484442401 5,431 2007-2008 418429410385359353420429453502495480424 5,557 2008-2009 426437418425405379368445434466514491461 5,669 2009-2010 434445426433447427395390451446477510471 5,752 2010-2011 442453434441456472446419395464457473490 5,842 2011-2012 451461442449464481493473424406475453454 5,926 5,871 Actual

15. Wilson School District Total Enrollment Projections (Grades K-12) 2007-08 to 2012-13 – February 2008 PEL School YearEnrollmentChange from Previous Year K-12 #% 2007-08 (actual) 5,771 721.3 2008-09 5,857 861.5 2009-10 5,924 671.1 2010-11 6,002 781.3 2011-12 6,117- 5,871 Presently (under 246) 1151.9 2012-13 6,246 1292.1 Change 2007-08 to 2012-13 4758.2

16. Wilson School District Extended Total Enrollment Projections (Grades K-12)* 2012-13 to 2017-18 February 2008 PEL School YearEnrollment K-12Change from Previous Year 2011-12 5,871 Actual 2012-13 6,246 (+ 375) 1292.1 2013-14 6,360 1141.8 2014-15 6,467 1071.7 2015-16 6,576 1091.7 2016-17 6,670 941.4 2017-18 6,777 1071.6 Change 2012-13 to 2017-18 5318.5 Change 2007-08 to 2017-18 1,00617.4 * Based on births fixed at the average level of the three most recent years for which data are available.

17. Historic First Grade Takes the net change in the number of students in first grade in the last five years, averages it and applies the average sum to each previous first grade class for the next projected 10 years. A cohort survival ratio is calculated for each second through fifth grade by taking the sum of the last four years of the grade for which the ratio is being determined and divided by the sum of four years of enrollment figures five years prior in the previous grade. Projections are then generated for second through fifth grade by multiplying the cohort ratio for the grade that the projection is being determined by the enrollment (actual or projected) in the previous year of the previous grade. Kindergarten projections are calculated by taking the first grade projection for the year prior to the Kindergarten year being determined and dividing it by the first grade cohort ratio.

18.  We have used our resources as well as those individuals who work with us on a regular basis concerning renovation and building cost options. At this time we have not found any programs that would be of significant benefit.  We will continue to investigate possibilities throughout the next three months. Other Options with regard to building renovations and construction.

19.  TO: All Local Education Agencies  FR: Ronald J. Tomalis, Secretary of Education  RE: Review of School Planning and Construction Workbook (PlanCon) Applications  Each year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) provides partial reimbursement for approved school renovation and construction projects through PlanCon. The fiscal year 2011-12 state budget appropriates $296.1 million for PlanCon, of which $291 million is already obligated for the reimbursement of debt service on projects with approved financing. Therefore, $5.1 million is not currently obligated.  Presently, there are more than 100 projects in the PlanCon application process. It is evident from PDE’s review of these projects that the available funds would not sufficiently cover the projected reimbursements. Therefore, all local education agencies should note that project financing will be approved subject to the availability of funding. As such, applications will continue to be received and reviewed through the PlanCon process; however, Part H approvals will only be granted based upon the availability of funds. Please note that there is no change for those who currently receive a debt service reimbursement through PlanCon. Secretary of Education

20.  If the decision is to close, a significant concern that our community has voiced in previous meetings is in regard to what happens to the properties.  It is important to note that what happens in any part of our Wilson community effects our entire Wilson community. With this in mind if we were to move towards closing, we would engage the surrounding community to explore as many options as possible to make the best decisions on the properties. Building Possibilities

21.  The last time we implemented a redistricting plan was six years ago as we prepared for the opening of the Green Valley Elementary School.  As we consider the possibility of closing Lincoln Park and West Wyomissing Elementary Schools we are again exploring options as this is an integral component in order to fully complete due diligence. It is important to note that redistricting is a process that school districts around the Commonwealth engage in from time to time due to the shifting patterns of student enrollments. The Wilson School District is no different.  Once we have a proposed plan in place we will share this plan with our community to hear questions and concerns. This meeting will take place at least one month prior to the formalized decision on possible closure as to allow time for comment. Re-Districting

22. Consistently high academic achievement. A diverse offering of courses. A top notch staff of professional, para-professional educators and support staff. A district wide Academy program which allows our students opportunities that many schools are not able to offer. A robust offering of extracurricular activities. A mindset toward continuous improvement with an emphasis on achieving the highest possible accomplishment in all areas we sponsor and support. What Makes Wilson “Wilson”