Schools

Wayland Schools Chief Details Elementary School Reconfiguration Plan

Several parents, during a community forum this week, expressed concern over the elementary school reconfiguration plan as the Wayland Public Schools sought to justify it.

The concerns surrounded not immediately knowing which school children would attend and having classes that were too small. 

The concerns emerged as Wayland Public Schools Superintendent Paul Stein, during a community forum on Dec. 16, laid out his reasoning for recommending a K-5 “2-3-4” elementary school configuration plan. 

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Basically, if approved, the plan would shift how the town’s three elementary schools are used. The Loker Elementary School would have 12 classrooms with two classrooms per grade, Happy Hallow would have 18 classrooms with three per grade, Claypit Hill would have 24 classrooms with four per grade.

Also, buffer zones intended to keep enrollment at school even.

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The plan would cost $596,000 in fiscal 2015 operational costs and $496,400 in one-time renovation costs for Loker and Happy Hallow. On Jan. 6, 2014, the district will hold a budget forum to discuss the overall fiscal 2015 budget proposal, as well as the budget for the reconfiguration. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Town Building.

RATIONALE

·      Overall, Stein said, enrollment projections supported a K-5 model with 60 classrooms. However, the town’s demographics don’t support 60 classrooms. Instead, Stein recommended 54 classrooms spread across the three schools.

·      Stein said the lack of consensus lead him to the 2-3-4 model.

·      Stein also justified the 2-3-4 model saying buildings with wider grade ranges tend to encourage more parental engagement. Stein said studies back up that claim.

·      Stein also said having the 2-3-4 model would greatly improve the student transportation situation with shorter bus rides for students.

·      If more students move into the southern half of town, Stein said, Loker can easily absorb the increased enrollment.

·      “A K-5 model is a better model, clearly. It’s going to be an easier model in terms of assuring academic achievement," Stein said.

-        Also, the Elementary Building Use Task Force, which studied the shifting options, did not support the “upper elementary model” or “3-3-3-“ model, Stein said. The task force liked the K-5 model, but could not come to a consensus on it.

PARENT CONCERNS

·      Parents expressed several concerns over the plan.

·      One parent said she was worried about the amount of support each kid would get at Loker given the size of the school. She also said she worried that not enough parents would be available for PTO and other parent-school events.

·      One Claypitt Hill parent said she felt their needs were being over supported at the cost of other parents whose children would be in the Loker school.

·      Another parent said she thought the plan would further fragment the town in a north-south way.

·      Another parent questioned the need for three elementary schools overall. She suggested having only two schools, which she said would be less expensive for Wayland.

TRANSITION ISSUES/TRADE-OFFS

·      Stein said the district would have to assure students in lower grades are getting the proper support.

·      Stein said the district needs to carefully plan logistics of the switch to assure a smooth rollout.

·      Having neighborhoods schools could create longer waiting lists for full-day kindergarten, Steins aid.

·      Also, some parents are worried that buffer zones will create confusion bout which school a child will attend, Stein said.

FUTURE OF PLAN

·      Stein said he was receptive to the concerns and would consider them.

·      “Throughout this process, it’s been very clear the status quo is no one’s preference," Stein said. "Put all that together and one needs to make a choice.”


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