2016.01.04 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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levy were to be renewed this fall. We knew that even with the levy we'd need to find money within the system to pay for Bridge to Excellence and other initiatives - about $1.3 million annually. We haven't done that yet." Continuing, "Closing schools has been discussed in this district for many years. Through many rounds of budget cuts and in discussions around levies, the topic has arisen. We've avoided school closures by making other cuts to the budget that have increased class sizes and reduced services to students. But after cutting our budget in 10 of the past 15 years, we've been left with holes in programming that have created inequities for our students. Our students are receiving a different educational experience depending on where they live." More recently in 2014, voters relevant to the Stillwater Area Public School District agreed to a $97.5 million bond request in order to update facilities, build a new elementary school, and an addition to the Stillwater Area High School. Passed with a 57.6% majority, the constituents hoped to attract more families to the district and ensure the current facilities were up to par with other districts. The controversy regarding the bond arises from Mr. Dennis Bloom's, the previous Director of Operations, comment. He stated at a Board meeting while discussing the bond, "Our committee has never recommended or we never really even discussed the closure of a school. We're not looking to close a school we're looking to move our Iease, facilities and move them into schools and maybe repurpose..." This statement took place during the November 13, 2014 meeting. This is the statement those opposing the closures are referencing the most. The B.O.L.D. Plan Superintendent Denise Pontrelli proposed the B.O.L.D. initiative. B.O.L.D. stand for Building Opportunities to Learn and Discover. The purpose of B.O.L.D. revolves around financial and capacity strains faced by the district. Currently, the school district believes that the services among the schools are inequitable. For example, the students attending the smaller, northern schools have fewer support services and unbalanced class sizes. Furthermore, the students in the smaller schools cost approximately $1,600 more per pupil than those in the more highly attended southern schools. This imbalance may be due to the difference in capacity among the schools. Out of the ten elementary schools, Withrow, Marine, and Oak Park are under the most scrutiny. Withrow currently reflects 84.0% capacity of their school, 89.7% for Marine, and 94.9% capacity for Oak Park. With projections for the next school year being 86%, 72%, and 83.7%, respectively. The attendance is expected to decrease. Considering such, other schools in the district are capable of housing the students from these schools while being at or under capacity. The Stillwater Area Public School District recommends that the aforementioned elementary schools close, and with the closure, approximately $1.26 million may be reinvested into the other schools. According to the Stillwater Public School District's website, "District leaders believe it is better to invest our resources in support and programs for students than it is to pay for empty rooms. For more than 20 years enrollment has been declining. We are a district built for about 10,000 [students], but we are currently serving just 8,300." The school district believes it is time to reevaluate the situation and adjust accordingly. Furthermore, the district claims that the rooms in the other elementary schools will not be overcrowded due to an adjustment of boundaries for the best balance enrollment." Three public meetings are scheduled regarding the initiative. The first is regarding Oak Park Elementary, and it will take place on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at 5:00pm. The second regarding Withrow Elementary, taking place Wednesday, January 27, 2016, at 5:00pm. Lastly, Marine Elementary will be discussed on Thursday, January 28, 2015, at 5:00pm. All of the 2