saugerties central school district redistricting proposal october 2005

Saugerties Central School District

Redistricting ProposalOctober 2005

What is redistricting?

Why redistrict? Comments made to me during

interviews regarding overcrowding Comments made during Bond

Campaign regarding imbalance Board’s directive to review these

situations and come up with recommendations

Process Hiring of consultant and review of

recommendations

Internal review of student loads, class sizes, overcrowding impact, educational disadvantage

Benefits of Smaller Schools

Assuring educational equity for all students / equalized class sizes

More intense hands on by key personnel—teachers, principal, social worker, nurse, etc., leading to increased achievement / test scores

Improved school climate—less overcrowding, smaller cafeteria periods, playground More positive social behavior Fewer discipline issues Stronger relationships—student to student,

student to staff, school to community Easier to build a sense of community Easier to build a sense of belonging Less intimidating More effective crowd control

Ability of principal to have more time to spend in classroom, with teachers, with parents, on planning, etc.

Ability to better utilize school resources—library, gym station, cafeteria, custodial and maintenance issues

Facilities better utilized and wear and tear equally distributed—parking areas, cafeteria, copying equipment, and technology equipment

The experience of a new school, new friends, teachers—students learn how to deal with change and new environment

Possible Negative Effects Trauma created by parents

discussing their negative feelings about the move in front of their children

Short term dislocation due to new environment. Kids are very resilient.

Comparison of Schools

Key Statistics for Saugerties

Grade Level Enrollment

K 1 2 3 4 5 6

Cahill 55 64 54 69 71 83 82

Grant D. Morse

36 42 52 48 44 34 53

Riccardi 63 64 52 73 70 67 84

Mt. Marion

43 45 34 38 44 49 46

Building Enrollment

Cahill Grant D. Morse

Riccardi Mt. Marion

504 309 504 359

Balance School Enrollment

Current Imbalance

Projected Imbalance

Cahill / Grant D. Morse

504309 195

439374 65

Riccardi /Mt. Marion

504359 145

459404 55

Transportation Issues

Timeline August 2005—Report of Consultant to Board of

Education September 2005—Recommendations

presented to Board of Education October 2005—Presentations and Public Input November/ December 2005—

Recommendations finalized; Board of Education votes

Spring 2006—Planning and transition activities September 2006—New plan in place

Move approximately 65 students from Cahill to Morse

Move approximately 45 students from Riccardi to Mt. Marion

Current 5th graders have option to remain in current school or move to new school with siblings

Current District Transportation Configuration

Cahill/Morse Proposed Changes

Riccardi/Mt. Marion Proposed Changes