Bloomfield Public Schools Elementary Schools Consolidation Plan

1. Bloomfield Public SchoolsElementary Schools Consolidation Plan David G. Title August 26, 2008

2. Background Information • May, 2006 referendum included renovating 3 elementary schools at a total cost of $30 million • Under the original plan, all 3 schools would be brought up to code and remain as K-4 facilities

3. Considerations for Change • New enrollment projections show a steady decline in elementary school population over the next ten years • Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School will have 60-65 Bloomfield kindergarten students in September, 2010 • Maximum elementary enrollment in the next ten years is 800 students

4. Proposed Model • All students would attend one school for K-2 and another for grades 3-4 as of September, 2012 (projected) • One school houses grades K-2 with a maximum enrollment of 450 students • One school houses grades 3-4 with a maximum enrollment of 350 students • Model would have ongoing fiscal, educational and operational advantages

5. Fiscal Advantages • We compared the financial impact of operating 2 schools vs. 3 schools using today’s enrollments, programs and prices • The only variable is the reduction from 3 schools to 2 • We could then project the fiscal impact of the new model • Savings are estimated conservatively and are in 2008 dollars

6. Financial Savings • Annual operating savings would be approximately $ 1,220,000 • $ 1,150,000 from staff savings (salaries, benefits) • $70,000 in utilities (25,000 less square feet)

7. Potential Educational Advantages • Facilities can be tailored to fit the needs of students of the age group (e.g., a science lab in the 3-4 school, playground equipment) • Teachers now servicing students K-4 can be assigned to their strengths (e.g., special education teachers, music teachers may work better with one age group than another) • Special education teachers can concentrate on fewer grade/level curriculum areas, becoming more expert • All teachers of a given grade level at one school means better options for student assignment, easier to adjust the mix of students in a given classroom, less disparity in class sizes

8. Potential Educational Advantages • Better consistency in curriculum, instruction and assessment with all grade level teachers in one facility • Teacher collaboration and sharing opportunities increased at the grade level (data teams, resources) • Professional development for each grade level can be delivered more often and efficiently • School-wide rules can be tailored to a smaller grade span • Parent workshops can be focused on the more specific age group of the school • Opportunities for specialized classrooms at a grade level (single gender, looping, team teaching)

9. Potential Educational Advantages • All special education children educated in their regular school – less stigma, van transportation and in compliance with law • Early intervention resources can be concentrated in the K-2 building • Media center resources can be targeted to the grade span of the building rather than duplicated across two or three schools • Band program housed in one school will improve lesson delivery and whole ensemble practices

10. Potential Educational Advantages • Smaller grade span on bus means less likelihood of discipline issues • Décor and feel of the schools can be customized to fit the grade span (height of bulletin boards, e.g.) • Supplies and materials can be specific to one school and not duplicated across schools • Grade 2 students can feel “promoted” to the next school • Outside speakers and programs can be tailored to the specific age span and not repeated at multiple schools

11. Potential Educational Disadvantages • One additional transition for families during the elementary years • Less opportunity for interaction between older students and younger students (limited grade span without transporting) • Involuntary transfers of staff

12. Operational Advantages • Single school district approach means no re-drawing of district lines • Issues surrounding family preferences for one elementary school over another are eliminated • CMT administered in only one school • Class sizes can be modified in small increments with approximately 10 classes per grade level

13. Operational Issues • Bus transportation may require more fuel • Starting and ending times may need to be modified

14. Conclusion • Moving from a three school (K-4) model to a two school (K-2, 3-4) model will have ongoing fiscal, educational and operational advantages that far outweigh the disadvantages in both the short- and long-term