WaylandSchoolCommittee.org

• Topic: School Committee working session
• Date: Monday, February 4
• Time: 7:30pm
• Location: School Committee meeting room, second floor, Town Building (tentative)

• Topic: School configuration public forum
• Date: Monday, February 11
• Time: 7:00pm to 9:00pm (School Committee meeting to follow)
• Location: Large Hearing Room, Town Building (tentative)

• Over 100 residents attended the School Committee meeting to learn about and participate in the discussion surrounding the reconfiguration of the elementary schools.
• The Committee spent 2 1/2 hours answering questions and discussing the thinking behind and implications of this decision.
• The Committee then continued its deliberations at great length, taking into account the public comment expressed during the forum.

• On January 15th, the School Committee voted that, in the event of a reconfiguration of the elementary schools, Loker would house kindergarten and Claypit Hill and Happy Hollow would each house grades 1–5. Although the Committee did not rescind this decision, members agreed to take further public comment under consideration.
• On January 28th, following the public forum and deliberation, the Committee voted unanimously to move to a 2 1/2 school, neighborhood model for the fall of 2008.
• On January 28th, the School Committee also voted on the FY09 budget and presented this budget to the Finance Committee the following night.

• Enrollment has declined for the last 7 years at the elementary schools to such a level that reconsolidation is feasible.
• The enrollment decline is projected to continue to decline for at least the next four years.
• Due to this decline, the move to a 2 ˝ school model would likely occur the following year.
• In light of the possible failed override and even deeper cuts that would harm the educational program, the Committee felt it necessary to reduce the override amount while maintaining to the greatest extent possible services and programs across the district.
• In the proposed 2 ˝ school model, the district retains its teachers, maintains the average current class sizes across the district and maintains existing programs.

• The Superintendent created an ad hoc committee to gather data about Loker and Happy Hollow.
• In January, this ad hoc committee gave its data to the Superintendent. Based on his knowledge of the schools and this information, he recommended to the School Committee that Loker house kindergarten and Happy Hollow house grades 1-5.
• The School Committee discussed the Superintendent’s recommendation and ultimately voted to support his decision, acknowledging that there was not a clear cut answer.
• Key factors in favor of this decision include:
• Assumed lower transportation costs given the densely populated area surrounding Happy Hollow (i.e. more walkers).
• The physical layout of Loker School lending itself better to either closing a large portion of the school or renting the space to a third party.

• The Committee has discussed declining enrollments for several years.
• In November, before seeing the proposed FY09 Budget, the Committee again reviewed the numbers and decided that while redistricting was feasible, it was not recommended at that time.
• The Committee received the budget from the Superintendent in December and a detailed list of reductions that would occur in the event of a failed override.
• In light of budget concerns and the impact on programs throughout the district, the Committee revisited its decision about when to move to 2 ˝ schools.
• In order to analyze the impact of redistricting and bus routes prior to our meeting with the Finance Committee, the School Committee felt it had to identify which school would house kindergarten.
• The Committee fully recognizes this change of direction and discussed at great length the impact of making such a change. However, as we learned about new budget information and continued to analyze the data, we believed it was in the best interest of the district to revisit prior decisions.

• The Committee will continue to hear and consider public comment regarding which school will become the kindergarten school. Please direct comments to the School Committee or the Superintendent as soon as possible.
• The Committee continues to review additional information and analysis, including possible redistricting lines and bus routes.
• On February 4th at 7:30PM, the Committee will hold a public, working session to receive additional information from town officials regarding Loker and Happy Hollow. As with regular School Committee meetings, there will be two limited public comment periods at the beginning and end of this meeting. The Committee will also consider holding additional meetings later in the week at Loker and Happy Hollow to gather additional input from the community.
• On February 11th at 7PM, the Committee will hold a public forum to address the decision regarding which school will become the kindergarten school.
• Later on the evening of the 11th, the Committee will deliberate and make a final decision on this matter.

• The School Department worked with the Town to create a data base with the addresses and grades of children going into grades k–4.
• Using this data base, a map was generated showing the location of households with elementary children, as well as the current school districting lines.
• Using recently purchased software designed to aid in redistricting and creating efficient bus routes, the School Department will work with the Town to analyze possible bus routes and redistricting lines.
• The administrators will then take into consideration factors such as families, neighborhoods and current bus stops and routes.

• In grades 1-5, the two schools will have more children than they currently house. Kindergarteners will have their own school.
• However, all children will continue to receive the support and programs that the schools currently offer (e.g. art, music, PE, library, technology, guidance, etc.).
• Bus routes may be longer and children who live within 1 ˝ miles of the school will no longer receive bus transportation.
• We recognize that there are still a number of unknowns and details to be worked out. We are working as quickly as possible to answer the many logistical questions and to get this information out to families.

• Contact a School Committee member (see contact information below) or an administrator directly, either via phone or email. Please submit any requests for information to be considered by the Committee by February 8th so that we have an opportunity to review it before the 11th.
• Attend the meeting on February 4th at 7:30pm and the forum on February 11th at 7:00pm.