Port Monmouth School & New Monmouth School Consolidation - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Port Monmouth School & New Monmouth School Consolidation Proposal

Board of Education Presentation February 26, 2020

Policy 7130 - School Closing

“The Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to provide a thorough and efficient program of free public education and appropriate facilities to house that program. The Board further recognizes that declining enrollments, diminished resources, district reorganization, and/or other good cause may require the use of one or more district facilities for educational purposes be abandoned.”

Policy 7130 - School Closing

“The Board will not commit itself to the closing of any school facility without first having collected and considered appropriate information regarding”:

• 1. Student enrollments
• 2. Educational adequacy of school facilities
• 3. Relevant safety and traffic factors
• 4. District revenues
• 5. Alternative district organizational plans

• 1. District Student Enrollment History

2011 10,057.0 2012 10,050.0 2013 9,742.0 2014 9,606.5 2015 9,591.0 2016 9,528.5 2017 9,448.0 2018 9,425.0 2019 9,376.5

Resident enrollment has dropped 680.5 students since October 2011, or 6.8%. Resident enrollment is a significant component of the state aid allocation formula.

New Monmouth School Enrollment and Building Information

❏ PM/NM Consolidation Proposal - combined enrollment projection: 467 ❏ In 8 of the past 17 years NM enrollment exceeded: 500* ❏ 2009-2010 school year student enrollment at NM: 558* ❏ Classrooms available at NM (with relocation of Pre-K classes): 31 ❏ Classrooms needed with current projected enrollment 28 ❏ Other available rooms include: Art Room, Music Room, Band Room, OT/PT/Sensory Room, Teacher of the Deaf Space, Small Group Instruction Rooms, Media Center & MakerSpace *Prior to the NM renovations to create new classrooms and small group instruction rooms (Summer 2013)

Port Monmouth/New Monmouth School Consolidation Proposal

Projected Students Enrollments for 2020-2021 School Year As of 2/24/2020

Port Monmouth 2020-21 Projections New Monmouth 2020-21 Projections Combined NM & POMO 2020-21 Grade # Students per Grade Level # Classes per Grade Level Average Class Size # Students per Grade Level # Classes per Grade Level Average Class Size # Students per Grade Level # Classes per Grade Level Average Class Size K 38 2 19 48 2 24 86 4 22* 1 34 2 17 40 2 20 74 4 19 2 31 2 16 49 2 25 80 4 20 3 22 1 22 49 2 25 71 4 18 4 25 1 25 43 2 22 68 4 17 5 45 2 23 44 2 22 89 4 22 Total 195 10 20.3 273 12 23.0 468 24 19.7 *Monitoring for possible class size reduction using ESSA funds.

Significant Pros:

• Overall positive impact on class sizes for both schools.
• Ability to consolidate entire Port Monmouth Elementary population into 1 location without significantly impacting that schools’
• peration of specials, lunches, small group instruction, related services, etc.
• APR capacity for lunch service at New Monmouth is 346 with tables and chairs. All classes can be served lunch in the APR.
• Ability to retain Autism classes at New Monmouth.
• Opportunity to socialize and grow academically with a variety of peer groups during their elementary school experience.

Significant Cons:

• Requires reassignment of 6 Pre-K classes.
• Possible need for an additional bus route for students who live in excess of 2 miles from New Monmouth School.
• Requires transition for students at Port Monmouth and New Monmouth

• 2. Educational Adequacy of School Facilities

Port Monmouth School Information:

• 92 year-old facility
• Limited space in APR to offer lunches and physical education instruction - current APR

capacity with tables and chairs is 132.

• The floor plan of Port Monmouth makes ADA accessibility limited. There are very few

spaces available from the main or other entrances of the building without going up or down stairs. The APR cannot be reached without going up/down stairs. New Monmouth School Information:

• Newest elementary school in the district; renovations in 2013 created 6 new classrooms

and several small group instruction spaces; total of 31 full size classrooms.

• Largest elementary APR. Current APR capacity with tables and chairs is 346. Multiple

physical education classes can be instructed simultaneously to ensure the new unfunded mandate for 150 minutes of Health & PE instruction can be scheduled accordingly throughout the year.

• ADA accessibility includes features such as an elevator and bathrooms.
• Expansive outdoor recreational space including a secure, fenced playground.

• 3. Relevant New Monmouth School Safety & Traffic Factors
• Secure, fenced playground.
• Multiple on-property parking lots and spaces.
• Dedicated drop-off lane to facilitate safe, efficient student arrival and dismissal.
• Dedicated left turn lane from New Monmouth Rd (westbound) into the school entrance.
• Dedicated crossing guard at New Monmouth Road and the entrance to the school.
• School is set back from major highways and intersections.
• Currently, 13 buses transport students to New Monmouth School each morning (12 in the

afternoon); the proposed consolidation plan includes a projected need for 10 buses.

• Approx. 50 current Port Monmouth School students are projected to keep their designation

as “walkers” when registered at New Monmouth School (live less than 2 miles).

• Currently, 25 New Monmouth School Integrated Pre-K students are dropped off by

parents/guardians during AM arrival and 28 during PM dismissal. This vehicle traffic would be eliminated under the proposed consolidation plan..

• Overall, 3 buses and 25-28 necessary parent vehicles will be eliminated from AM/PM

traffic at New Monmouth School under the proposed consolidation plan. ○ Requests for transfer to Harmony School by PM students not meeting the busing requirement will be considered

• 4. District Revenues
• Implementation of the new school funding law, S2, has resulted in

a reduction in state school aid for Middletown in the amount of $2,045,127 to date plus another $3,697,982 in projected reductions for a total of $5,743,109 over 7 years.

• 2020-2021 Proposed Budget assumes a 2.74% tax levy increase

(2% max allowable by law plus banked cap): Total Projected Revenue $167,565,450 Total Projected Appropriations $170,122,145 Current budget shortfall $2,556,695 (1.5%)

• 5. Alternative Organizational Plans Reviewed
• Student enrollments and school facility conditions/operating expenses were

reviewed to determine where opportunity exists for consolidation that would not require redistricting of students, which is a concept that will need to be explored and considered as future steps as a result of the Strategic Planning process and changing student enrollments districtwide.

• River Plaza, Leonardo and Navesink schools were analyzed. It was

determined that no other school(s) within their middle/high school receiving areas could accommodate their current student populations, thus requiring redistricting, which cannot be accomplished for next school year.

• Multiple consolidation plans were developed that could accommodate the

discontinuation of operations at Port Monmouth Elementary (see next slides that are in addition to the current New Monmouth/Port Monmouth proposal).

Consolidation into Two Schools in Thorne Zone

• Port Monmouth students would be enrolled in both Ocean Avenue and New Monmouth Schools:

○ Students residing south of Rt 36, as well as students living north of Rt. 36, east of Main St., and south of Broadway would be enrolled in New Monmouth School. ○ All other students living north of Rt. 36 would be enrolled in Ocean Avenue School.

• Port Monmouth students would be enrolled in Ocean Avenue and Harmony Schools:

○ Students residing south of Rt 36, as well as students living north of Rt. 36, east of Main St., and south of Broadway would be enrolled in Harmony School. ○ All other students living north of Rt. 36 would be enrolled in Ocean Avenue School. Significant Pros:

• Positive impact on the district operating budget for 2020-2021 school year.
• Potential for other savings: Port Monmouth students who live north of Rt. 36 are currently transported,

but most of these would not meet the requirement for busing to Ocean Ave. Significant Cons:

• Current Port Monmouth students would be enrolled in two different schools, dividing the current Port

Monmouth community without redistricting of the school community.

• Ocean Ave. would not be eligible for Schoolwide Title 1 status; less flexibility to reduce district class

sizes.

All Port Monmouth Students Enrolled in Harmony for 2020-2021 School Year; adjusted to reflect 2/24 projected enrollments

Port Monmouth 2020-21 Projections Harmony 2020-21 Projections Combined Harmony & POMO 2020-21 Grade # Students per Grade Level # Classes per Grade Level Average class size # Students per Grade Level # Classes per Grade Level Average class size # Students per Grade Level # Classes per Grade Level Average class size K 38 2 17 55 3 25 93 4 23 1 34 2 17 61 3 21 95 4 24 2 31 2 16 72 3 25 103 5 21 3 22 1 22 50 2 25 72 3 24 4 25 1 25 69 3 24 94 4 24 5 45 2 22 69 3 24 114 5 23 195 10 19.5 School Class Size Average 376 16 23.5 School Class Size Average 562 29 22.8 School Class Size Average

Significant Pros:

• Minimal to no additional cost for transportation of students by bus as compared to current Port Monmouth needs.
• Positive impact on the district operating budget for 2020-2021 school year.

Significant Cons:

• Harmony Elementary has 32 full-size classrooms. This proposal would require the reassignment of all 6 Pre-K and 3 LLD
• classes. Instructional space for special subject areas, resource, intervention, etc. would significantly be reduced or

eliminated (if additional sections are required).

• APR capacity for lunch service at Harmony is 263 with tables and chairs. All classes could not be served lunch in the APR.
• Negative impact on class sizes.

Policy 7130 - Required Assurances

As per District policy 7130, “To receive approval for the closing of a school the Board shall provide the Division of Administration and Finance (Division) and the Executive County Superintendent with the following assurances:

1. The proposed closing is consistent with the district’s approved LRFP because: a. The school district has demonstrated that sufficient school building capacity exists to house students for the five years following the closing; or. b. The school district has demonstrated through a feasibility study that the benefits of undertaking new construction outweigh those of rehabilitating the school proposed for closure. *No new construction is proposed in the plan.

2. The use of temporary facilities in the remaining schools does not result or increase from an

• verall facilities shortage caused by the school closing; *No temporary facilities required.

3. The re-assignment of students to other schools in the district does not produce, sustain nor contribute to unlawful segregation, separation, or isolation of student populations on the basis

• f race or national origin.” *Student population is re-assigned as a single unit.

Post-Consolidation Student Projections and Classroom Capacities

School Middle School *Projected General

• Ed. Enrollment

Projected Spec. Class Program Enrollment Total Projected Enrollment **Classroom Capacity per 25 Students Bayview Bayshore 314 56 370 625 Fairview Bayshore 286 22 308 425 Navesink Bayshore 220 220 300 Leonardo Bayshore 258 21 279 350 New Monmouth Thorne 468 20 488 750 Ocean Ave Thorne 257 35 292 450 Harmony Thorne 376 112 488 750 Lincroft Thompson 465 465 575 Middletown Village Thompson 367 48 415 575 Nut Swamp Thompson 541 541 675 River Plaza Thompson 253 13 266 400 *Projections as of February 24th pre-registrations **Capacity was calculated based on actual # of full size classrooms and takes into account the need for small group & special areas instructional space

Long Range Facility Plan and School Capacity

• The District has recently submitted an update to its Long Range Facilities

Plan (LRFP).

• This update was completed and expedited in order to receive NJ Department
• f Education approval of the project budgets, which include security projects

that are eligible for the Securing Our Children’s Future funds. Districts were notified that the applications for those funds are expected to be due sometime in May 2020.

• The draft Facilities Assessment Budget for all 17 buildings totals $154 million;

the budgeted amount for Port Monmouth Elementary is $3.9 million.

• The Facilities Assessment Budget submitted for NJ DOE review and approval

includes primarily maintenance and security related projects.

• If the District decides to do improvement projects in the future that are not

currently included in the LRFP, amendment(s) must be submitted for NJ DOE review and approval.

Long Range Facility Plan and School Capacity

• The draft LRFP includes school capacities based on current existing district practices

and use of the buildings.

• Based upon current district practice and building usage, the draft LRFP reflects excess

capacity at the elementary level of 495 students.

• The District’s last five year enrollment projection covered the five year period through

2022 and included the impact for all approved development projects. These projections have proven to be within 2.7% accurate or better each year.

• While the actual total 2019-2020 District enrollment of 9,580 is higher than the

projected enrollment of 9,326, Port Monmouth’s current enrollment of 194 is 9% lower than the projected 2019-2020 enrollment of 212 students.

• The LRFP also includes a Cohort-Survival Enrollment Projection worksheet that

projects enrollments for the purpose of the Plan through 2024-2025.

• The District will be obtaining an updated enrollment projection this spring to facilitate

further facilities planning.

Policy 7130 - Citizen Participation

The Board will invite citizen participation in the analysis of information and the formulation of recommendations.

1. The school community was informed of the Superintendent’s recommendation for school consolidation on February 18, 2020. 2. Beginning on February 18th to present: a. Administration has provided rationale for the formulation of the plan and additional supporting information during numerous discussions held before/during/after school hours with Port Monmouth and New Monmouth staff members, PTA representatives, parents/guardians, and students. b. Additional opportunities for dissemination of information and public analysis included two evening community forums, video message from the Superintendent, written correspondence to all district stakeholders and press releases. 3. A school consolidation page has been developed on the district website and contains responses to Q&As as well as consolidation goals.

Follow up to Public Discussion on February 24th

The administrative team will develop and recommend to the Board staff assignments for the 2020-2021 school year that support Port Monmouth Elementary students during the transition to New Monmouth School. Staff assignments will be focused on supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of students as well as maintaining established peer and adult relationships.

Proposed Port Monmouth/New Monmouth Transition Plan

• PM to visit NM to “Meet & Greet” grade level peers
• Teachers continue to foster these new relationships via Pen Pals, Skyping, Google

Hangout, etc.

• PM parent/student visitation night at NM to tour school, meet Mr. Ferri, principal
• Meet with PM & NM PTA executive committees to talk and mutually agree upon

coexistence for the first year and going forward

• Joint NM/PM PTA Events (Joint Family Pack-a-Picnic Gathering, Ice Cream Social etc.)
• Mr. Ferri & Mrs. McCormack will work together with their teachers/SBSSs to create class

lists that ensure a diverse group of Port Monmouth and New Monmouth students will be in each class

• Continue to plan transition opportunities; open to suggestions.

Staffing Considerations

• New Monmouth Elementary School’s consolidated student population will

require a minimum of four sections in each grade level (24), which is guaranteed based on current student enrollment projections.

• The district is closely monitoring student enrollment data to determine if Title II

class size reduction (CSR) funds should be used to add an additional class section (25th) to further reduce teacher-student ratios in the Title I school. A final decision on the use of CSR funds will be made during the summer when student enrollment is more definitive.

• Six of the district’s Pre-K integrated and disabilities classes, currently housed

at New Monmouth School, will be reassigned. Pre-K disabilities and integrated classes will be equitably assigned to Fairview, Harmony, Middletown Village and Ocean Avenue Schools to allow for increased

• pportunities for inclusion.

Federal Fund Usage (Title I and II)

• Two types of funding that can be applied toward staff salary costs:

○ Title I: funds provided to schools in need based on total student enrollment and the free and reduced lunch percentage for each school.

■ Per pupil allocation, so the money follows the identified student.

○ Title II: funds provided to schools for preparing, training and developing teachers and school leaders. ■ Funds can also be applied to Class Size Reduction teacher salaries to support lowering class size at the K-3 grade levels.

• Estimated Allocations for 2020-2021 School Year (based on 85% of current

allocation): ○ Title I: $460, 291 ○ Title II: $135, 345

Important Federal ESSA Grant Spending Requirements

• Supplement versus supplant (applies to both Title I and II funds):

○ Each Title I “dollar” spent must be toward salaries, resources or programs that are above and beyond what the district funds in the regular operating budget. ○ This restricts spending since Title I “dollars” cannot be used to directly replace necessary instructional services and programs, e.g. RTI “Intervention”. ○ Traditionally funding has been applied to increase the time Rdg Development Teachers and Mathematics Specialists are scheduled in Title I schools to instruct students.

• Targeted versus Schoolwide Assistance (applies to Title I funds only):

○ Target Assistance Programs (current designation for all 8 MTPS Title I schools): ■ Title I funds must be spent to improve achievement of identified students only. ■ Restricts creating a new class section with the use of Title I funds because all students in the class need to be identified as economically disadvantaged (ED). ○ Schoolwide Assistance Programs (OAS has a pending application): ■ 40% is the threshold for designation of Schoolwide status in absence of a waiver. ■ This is a more favorable designation because all students can benefit from the appropriation of Federal ESSA grant funds.

Restructuring of District & ESSA (Title I and II) Funds

Possibilities and Intended Outcomes:

• Create additional classroom teacher position(s) at Ocean Avenue Elementary using Title I funds to

reduce class sizes, if Schoolwide designation is awarded,

• Create additional classroom teacher position in a Title I school to reduce class sizes, using Title II funds

and the Class Size Reduction (CSR) option.

• Consolidation of schools also creates the opportunity to repurpose support staff to classroom teacher

positions due to the decrease in the number of required support specialist positions.

• Lowering teacher-student ratios during core content instruction through an inclusion “co-teaching” model

in the Title I schools can also positively impact student outcomes with personalized learning, small group instruction and conferring. This structure is in alignment with the Federal ESSA grant recommendations for staffing.

• Potential savings can also be realized in a reconfiguration of support services districtwide, while still

maintaining academic support in the Title I schools through grant funding. District revenues currently being budgeted to fund salaries of supplemental staff can be redesignated to create additional classroom teacher positions, in order to further reduce class sizes across all district schools, e.g. lowering gr. 4-5 class size maximum to 25 in all schools district-wide effective September, 2020.

We are at the Crossroads; Action is Needed

• Crossroads of budget development, strategic planning, and state aid

reduction

○

2018 - S2 implementation will result in loss of $5.7 million over 7 years

○

Enrollment decline since 2011 of 6.9% (680 students)

• Loss of state aid, the cap on the tax levy, and increasing costs will drive

growing budget deficits going forward

• Strategic planning input

○

More than 11 hours of community input at 7 forums - overwhelmingly focused on lowering class size

○

Approximately 2,000 respondents to the community survey

○

Approximately 10,000 written responses on the community survey

■

Highest - 1,308 related to enrollment

■

Next highest - 608 related to curriculum