Since the inception of the referendum, September 2020 was set as the target opening date for the Middle School. It is an aggressive timeline, but we’ve continued to operate with that target in mind. Within the next month, we will need to make a final decision whether we will be able to meet that target based upon input from our administration, architect, construction management company and the contractor. The decision will be based upon whether we can provide a Middle School educational program that can effectively accommodate the staff and students safely and securely while meeting their academic and social-emotional needs. While the desire is to be completely done by the time we open, we may be able to open the newly added spaces while the renovated spaces approach completion. Keep in mind that the renovation of existing spaces cannot and will not begin until the summer when school is not in session. And of course, we must be able to obtain the required certificates of occupancy and confirmation that our health and safety systems are in place.

If we are unable to successfully make the transition in September 2020, then we would have to wait until the September 2021 to officially move the eighth grade to the Middle School.

With September 2020 less than a year away, hours and days of planning have taken place and continues to do so to prepare for a Grades 6-8 Middle School and a Grades 9-12 High School. In general, the administration works together to build plans based on needs and priorities. Over time, draft proposals are shared with the Board of Education and discussed in Committee when possible. After proposals are shared publicly, feedback from the school community is considered and final decisions are made through formal Board resolution and adoptions of budgets as needed. Some of those plans are as follows:

• School Calendar: During the last Policy and Governance Committee, a draft school calendar was presented and discussed. In January, the Board will approve a school calendar that will take into account whether or not we plan to transition the 8th grade to the Middle School in September 2020.
• Scheduling: The Middle School was one of 15 schools selected to be part of the TEGY Scheduling Institute to receive the technical assistance necessary to develop a school schedule that addresses the holistic needs of the students based upon the academic, developmental, and social-emotional growth of the whole child as shared during our referendum education presentations. Over time general overviews of the schedule plans are shared with the full Board and discussed at Curriculum Committee meetings. Discussions with the Association also take place to identify and address any aspects of the proposed schedule that impact the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The public provides input at future community presentations. If there are any changes or proposals that require a change to the school day, the Board must approve them pursuant to Policy 8220. We aim to finalize the schedule by the end of February / beginning of March to give the school time to build out the schedule and facilitate course selections for students
• Staffing: The School principals work together to identify staff who may need to be added, transferred, or shared between schools. The Superintendent will make the recommendations to the Board who must approve any changes. In the event of staff additions, the Board must also approve those additions through the budget development and adoption process.
• Program of Studies: Based upon the schedule and staffing decisions that are made, any additions or changes to the program of studies would be presented to the Curriculum Committee, shared with the full Board and have to be approved by resolution.
• MS Athletics, Clubs, and Activities: The School principals are working collaboratively to review the existing offering of clubs and activities in order to make recommendations to the Superintendent to be included in the budget development process with the Board. With regards to athletics, the Middle and High School administration are working on a proposal to re-introduce Middle School interscholastic athletics in a way that is practical, sustainable, and can complement the needs of the high school athletics program. Once again, the proposal presented to the Board would be also considered in the development of the general operating budget.
• HS Facilities Planning: The movement of the 8th grade to the Middle School will open up space in the high school in order to afford greater flexibility in scheduling, more effective utilization of space to enhance existing programs and the potential for introducing new and needed programs that we currently do not have the space to offer.

The key dates and expected next steps are:

• December 19 Board of Education Meeting: Confirm the recommendation of the Administration to proceed with implementing the transition in September 2020.
• January 16 Board of Education Meeting: A presentation at the public meeting to the Board of Education of the plans and proposals referenced above in order to answer questions and clarify from the Board
• January and February Community Presentations: Two presentations will be scheduled to provide the opportunity for the school community to witness the presentation, ask questions, and provide feedback to be considered in the final plans.
• March: Preliminary Budget Adoption
• April: Budget hearing and final budget adoption