Plan for New School in Northport 1. that needs to be changed to: New - - PDF document

10/31/2017 1

• 1. that needs to be changed to: “New Northport School

Construction” just as on the other sites.

Plan for New School in Northport

• 1. that needs to be changed to: “New Northport School

Construction” just as on the other sites.

Process of Planning

 Annual capital planning that is reflective of changing conditions and factors that impact our ability to provide for the capital needs of our school system  Prioritized capital needs based utilizing limited resources available. ‐ capacity & growth projections ‐ aging facilities ‐ number of instructional portables ‐ roofs, mechanical systems  Based on data ‐ Walker Enrollment Study ‐ Actual enrollment numbers ‐ Growth patterns as available ‐ Facility assessments from maintenance records,

• n‐site evaluations, actual presentation of issues

‐ Cost factors

Stated Goal for Northport Schools

 Address, to best extent possible, capacity issues in all schools in the Tuscaloosa County High School feeder pattern – capacity issues that already exist as well as to create additional space for growth and programmatic needs (such as Pre‐K classes)

10/31/2017 2

• 1. that needs to be changed to: “New Northport School

Construction” just as on the other sites.

Schools in the Tuscaloosa County High Feeder Pattern

Crestmont Elementary Faucett‐Vestavia Elementary Flatwoods Elementary Huntington Place Elementary Matthews Elementary Northport Elementary Collins‐Riverside Middle Echols Middle Over capacity now! 7 portables Inadequate cafeteria Over capacity now! Additions Over capacity now! NO room for growth Inadequate cafeteria Over capacity now! Portables being added Over capacity now! 3 portables NEED for Pre‐K! Over capacity now! 8 portables Inadequate cafeteria

• 1. that needs to be changed to: “New Northport School

Construction” just as on the other sites.

Even with limited resources, when you have the opportunity, the question becomes: Who do you leave out?

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Planning Considerations & Adjustments: Responding to Concerns

Concern Voiced Original Plan

Size of the proposed school too large Capacity for 1,000 Number of different schools a student would have to attend from PreK through 12th grade Up to 5 different schools Traffic concerns Larger school at 1,000; students coming from all parts of feeder pattern Community School Students beginning in grade 5 would all go to Collins‐Riverside from all feeder schools Athletics Curriculum Students in a 5th‐6th and 7th‐8th configuration will not do well. Property Values Property values will decrease and plan will have a negative effect on the city’s growth.

Adjusted Plan

Capacity for 700 Up to 4 different schools Capacity of school reduced by 300; only students in the Northport Elementary, Flatwoods Elementary, & Huntington Place Elementary schools would attend; grade re‐configuration at Northport Elementary & Huntington Place Elementary will reduce traffic having to cross the busy highway 43 intersection; traffic study being conducted by engineers to help with recommendations for placement of school and routing decisions. Students would remain in basic community areas through grade 6 Echols Middle as a 7th‐8th grade school for all students in the feeder pattern will allow for use of existing athletic fields There are other high performing school districts across the nation and in Alabama (Hartselle City & Hoover City as examples) that have the same grade configurations and their students do very well. Students in Northport are just as capable and the faculty & staff for these schools will be excellent. The population density of Northport is unique within the Tuscaloosa County School

• System. Growth has been steady with good property values with students grade 6th‐

8th being moved to the Collins‐Riverside & Echols; now, one less grade level of students will move and students will actually stay a year longer in the community area.

Plan for Northport Schools

Northport & Huntington Place Elementary Schools re‐configured to serve grades PreK through 4th Crestmont, Faucett‐Vestavia, Flatwoods, & Matthews Elementary re‐configured to serve grades PreK through 4th Collins‐Riverside re‐configured to serve 5th & 6th students Echols Middle re‐configured to serve 7th & 8th grade students NEW school in Northport built to serve 5th & 6th grade students Serve students from feeder schools: Flatwoods, Huntington Place, & Northport Serve students from feeder schools: Crestmont, Faucett‐ Vestavia, & Matthews ALL 7th & 8th Graders will attend Echols Middle (addition to be built)

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Plan for Northport Schools: One Area to Re‐Zone

Northport & Huntington Place Elementary Schools re‐configured to serve grades PreK through 4th

This plan responds to several concerns and needs for the Northport area.

• 1. It creates greatly needed space for student capacity and

anticipated growth in ALL of the schools in the feeder pattern.

• 2. Students would progress through four schools Pre‐K through

12th grade (same as the students in the Hillcrest zone).

• 3. It assists with traffic concerns with the re‐configuration of

Northport Elem and Huntington Place as well as now only sending 7th/8th graders to Echols.

• 4. The new school will have a capacity of 700, rather than up

to 1,000 as originally planned.

• 5. Athletic facilities exist next to Echols Middle where 7th &8th

graders would attend and at the grade levels where middle school team sports begin.

• 6. Beginning in 7th grade, students in the Tuscaloosa County

High zone will remain together in one cohort. Better cohesiveness will result and we will be able to offer stronger programs in athletics as well as fine arts.

Plan for Northport Schools

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• 1. that needs to be changed to: “New Northport School

Construction” just as on the other sites.

Plan for Northport Schools: Tentative Timeline

Action Needed Projected By‐Date Approve plan for Northport Schools Late October/November 2017 Name Architect & Construction Management November/December 2017 Facility Planning/Design January 2018 – July 2018 Advertisement/Bids/Approvals August 2018 – September 2018 Name Schools: New School, Collins‐Riverside Middle Renamed (?) By July 2018 Curriculum Design Complete: Frameworks for 5th/6th & 7th/8th By September 2018 Award Contracts/Site Preparation/Building Construction October 2018 – February 2020 Administrative Selections Complete (start dates TBD) December 2019 Staffing Decisions from Current Staff Completed By March 2020 Transportation Routes Established & Communicated Spring 2020 Transition Plans in Place By April 2020 Division of Resources Complete June 2020 New School Opens/Re‐Configuration of ALL Schools Commences August 2020

• 1. that needs to be changed to: “New Northport School

Construction” just as on the other sites.