E A S T L Y M E P U B L I C S C H O O L S

REDISTRICTING REPORT

Presentation to the East Lyme Board of Education

February 13, 2017

Map Draft 11/1/16

COMMITTEE CHARGE

The Board of Education has determined that redistricting our elementary schools will provide equity for all Kindergarten through grade 4 students. Therefore, the ELPS Elementary Redistricting Ad Hoc Committee is charged with developing and presenting to the Board an implementation plan for the 2017- 2018 school year. The plan should include the following: An outline of the redefined school boundary lines, identify and address challenges with proposed remediations, a communication plan, estimated costs of the selected plan, clearly articulated rationale for the identified solution including educational benefits, impact on annual general fund budget, and impact on students and families.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Jeffrey Newton, Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Davis, Interim Director of Student Services Jill Carini, Board of Education Member Al Littlefield, Board of Education Member Linda Anania, Flanders Principal Melissa DeLoreto, Lillie B. Haynes Principal Jeff Provost, Interim Niantic Center Principal Theresa Landry, Location Manager Lisa Vaudreuil, Flanders Teacher Susan Parodi, Flanders Teacher Lori Shedd-Nickerson, Flanders Paraprofessional MaryBeth Franco, Flanders Parent Korie Witcraft, Flanders Parent Katie Douton, Lillie B. Haynes Teacher Judy Deeb, Lillie B. Haynes Teacher Tara Dowling, Lillie B. Haynes Paraprofessional Laura Schultz, Lillie B. Haynes Parent Danielle Holsapple, Lillie B. Haynes Parent Julie Horner, Niantic Center Teacher June O’Connor, Niantic Center Teacher Toni Chamberlain, Niantic Center Paraprofessional Kelly Trusilo, Niantic Center Parent Lynn Sullivan, Niantic Center Parent Linda Johansen, ELTA President Facilitator: Amy Drowne, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

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EAST LYME AD-HOC REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee recommends not redistricting until construction is completed or it is deemed appropriate for students to redistrict under a tiered process as building projects move forward. The following expectations are being recommended to the Board of Education. Action plans for each of the expectations are documented later in the document.

Staffing and services will provide developmentally appropriate class sizes/learning.

Specials and support staffing (Psych., OT, PT, Speech, IA/TA, Sped. Teachers) are not transient and provide equitable class schedules in the best interest of students.

Buildings are updated and healthy for all staff and students.

Balanced student enrollment across all grade levels.

Boundary lines provide equitable enrollment to keep neighborhoods together and minimize students time on buses.

The community at large is informed about redistricting and has an opportunity to be involved in the process.

Students move into safe, healthy buildings.

Staffing is equitably distributed.

Supplies are equitably distributed.

Equity: Elementary students in East Lyme will have equity in resources (i.e. technology), educational opportunities (i.e. resource databases), support (i.e. paraprofessional, reading recovery, speech and

language), and experiences (i.e. fieldtrips and assemblies) and in curriculum objectives and outcomes (units of study).

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SUCCESS CRITERIA

The committee formed success criteria that they believe the Board should consider as they address the redistricting issues

stated. The criteria developed by the committee are:

Sustainability: Long term solution that takes into consideration curriculum and instruction, population, demographics, and budget issues pertaining to each school. (alterations, renovations, building and student needs)

Impact on families: A town that has bought into putting our students first. The investment we are

making into their well-being, regardless of how difficult it may be, or feel, will show them it is possible to be happy and feel a part of something wonderful.

Enrollment: Balancing enrollment with developmentally appropriate class sizes.

Communication and Community: Educate the town on the purpose of redistricting, how it will occur,

and what alterations are needed to provide a quality education across the district.

Equity of Student Services/Programs: Equity of support services and special programs so that there is continuity for our school community at large.

TIMELINE

The Board of Education determined that the committee work shall be completed and presented to the Board of Education on or before February 28, 2017.

Meeting Dates:

Wednesday, December 14, 2016 Tuesday, December 20, 2016 Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Additional Information can be found on our website at http://www.eastlymeschools.org/page.cfm?p=4878

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COMMITTEE GROUP WORK

The committee worked in five subcommittee groups to focus our work around a proposed redistricting plan. Each group discussed and developed proposed action plans for their specific focus area.

Five Key Focus Areas:

Group 1: Consider Staffing Challenges and Adjustments as well as any Building Needs/Changes Across Schools Group 2: Consider and Review Current and DRAFT Redefined School Boundary Lines Group 3: Consider and Develop a Communication Plan for Parents and the Public Group 4: Consider Estimated Costs and Impact on the General Fund Budget Group 5: Consider Impact on Students and Families while Investigating Educational Benefits

Redistricting Action Plans The following action plans provide a template for redistricting.

Group 1 Action Plan Consider Staffing Challenges and Adjustments as well as any Building Needs/Changes Across Schools Group 2 Action Plan Consider and Review Current and DRAFT Redefined School Boundary Lines Group 3 Action Plan Consider and Develop a Communication Plan for Parents and the Public Group 4 Action Plan Consider Estimated Costs and Impact on the General Fund Budget Group 5 Action Plan Consider Impact on Students and Families while Investigating Educational Benefits

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APPENDIX

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COMMITTEE MEETINGS OVERVIEW

December 14, 2016

Ad Hoc Redistricting Committee Charge/Discussion Superintendent Newton and Assistant Superintendent Amy Drowne gave the following presentation and noted that the Board of Education’s plan is to keep and balance all three elementary schools. Assistant Superintendent Drowne assumed the role of Committee Facilitator. Focus Area Group Assignments and Breakout: Members were encouraged to volunteer for a group they are passionate about. Group 1: Consider Staffing Challenges and Adjustments as well as any Building Needs/Changes Across Schools Facilitator Jeff Provost Timekeeper Lynn Sullivan Note taker Julie Horner Lori Shedd-Nickerson Judy Deeb Group 2: Consider and Review Current and Draft Redefined School Boundary Lines Facilitator Melissa DeLoreto Timekeeper Katie Douton Note taker Korie Witcraft June O’Connor Theresa Landry Group 3: Consider and Develop a Communication Plan for Parents and the Public Facilitator Linda Anania Timekeeper Tara Dowling Note taker Laura Schultz Toni Chamberlin Group 4: Consider Estimated Costs and Impact on the General Fund Budget Facilitator Lisa Vaudreuil Timekeeper Al Littlefield Note taker Kelly Trusilo Linda Johansen Group 5: Consider Impact on Students and Families while Investigating Educational Benefits Facilitator MaryBeth Franco Timekeeper Jill Carini Note taker Susie Parodi Danielle Holsapple

Meeting Task – Each subgroup completed a Strength/Weakness/Opportunities/Threats Analysis protocol. Whole group responses of the completed SWOT Analysis are noted on the next page.

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STRENGTH: What are the strengths of our current elementary system?

● teachers ● successful learning ● welcoming to families/students/substitutes ● safe schools/security ● forward thinking ● teachers responsive to parents ● open communication/opportunities for it ● before/after care programs and after school

activities ● collaboration between schools ● discipline systems can be unique to buildings as

long as successful ● positive climate ● special ed. programs ● IAs/tutors ● unique programs ● high performing schools ● dedicated staff of certified and noncertified

employees ● similar demographic population ● various programs to meet students’ needs ● respectful students ● do a great job teaching the whole child ● our focused staff and our dedicated school

community ● rich curriculum and clearly defined goals ● we have high standards and expectations ● our children feel supported and cared for by our

staff and school community ● we have three neighborhood schools, each with

its own unique “culture” ● small neighborhood school environment ● younger staff – more innovation – lifelong

learners ● each school has own identity and way of doing

things

● stakeholders are parents and teachers AND students

● talented teachers ● small class sizes ● teachers focused on individual students ● balanced education ● elementary schools offer a lot of services for

students 1 on 1 reading recovery, gym and music 2 times per week. Believes children need more motor activity. Communication between parents and teachers very good and strong. EL good reputation, her family moved to EL because of strong reputation

● special education services strong, early identification, good communication and working relationships parents & teachers

● good at bringing out individual student strengths, nurturing environment, social curriculum as well as academic curriculum.

● small class sizes ● each school needs its own feel, its own identity,

sense of community with each school (this is a strength and a weakness). All schools should have same academic experiences but have its own identity

● responsive classroom-social curriculum ● Natures Classroom, special things to look

forward to, milestones ● equalize academic things keep identity on

social things ● happy teachers=happy school district and

happy students strength of elementary schools

comes from teachers

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WEAKNESSES:

What aspects of the current elementary school system need to be improved?

● buildings-size, air quality, building structure, plumbing issues

● transient staff- specials teachers, specialists, support

services-P.T., O.T., School psychologists,

● differences between school philosophies/assessments as

they relate to the students arriving/functioning as they enter

middle school

● scheduling/use of technology

● transient population inequitable in the schools

● inequity among the 3 elementary schools

● enrollment

● curriculum offerings (Nature’s classroom, Carol Glynn)

● placement of specials programs

● support services i.e. psychologist, speech and language etc.

● varying social and emotional curriculum

● inequity between the 3 structures of the buildings, parking

and playground (site of the schools)

● the building conditions in all three schools

● disproportionate structure and amount of time the students

are engaged in learning

● the age variance in tenured and non-tenured staff is not

balanced between the three schools

● there is fierce loyalty in keeping and maintaining our

individual schools, a heavy sense of pride and identity

● despite our separate school brands, or “mottos”, we are all

East Lyme Schools and need to come together and move

forward to a common goal that benefits all students

● three different school cultures with different student

experiences

● limited uniformity between schools

● need consistency with special education

● non-district-wide pre-school program

● teachers/parents emotionally attached to their individual

schools

● academic experiences are different need to be equalized,

have equity

● flight to Magnet Schools for science and technology, more

assemblies for greater enrichment to students

● need better communication between 3 schools for parents,

driven by sameness in schools. Friday packets? Websites?

East Lyme Connection (Facebook, Twitter) Highlighting

events, opportunities for collaborations. Foster and East

Lyme Connection with Elementary Schools

● building conditions are unacceptable, unsafe; environment:

heating/cooling, parking, playgrounds, windows, security,

carpeting, lack of technology

● magnet schools are 1 to 1 devices to students; behind the

times in science and technology; ELHS no chemicals, no

probes, have to ask Pfizer to help; budget is issue

● world language program should be all grades

● aided classrooms, small class size

● class size not a number, it is more an issue of needs of

students within classrooms. Recognizing that having building

wide reinforcements available would be helpful.

OPPORTUNITIES What are future opportunities that the school system can capitalize on?

● submit pictures/info. to get others involved

● advertise to seniors

● post card info. to all town members in relationship to schools/referendums/voting/budget....

● use of electronic signs at H.S./town hall with inf. to get others involved in programs/events to attend/publicity of good events occurring in our schools/in town

● reach out to companies for equipment/$$ donations (Pfizer/E.B./Dominion etc....)

● the more the 3 schools come together the easier the transition to the middle schools (ease into 5th grade as they would be getting a balanced K-4 experience throughout the district)

● providing an equitable opportunity to all the children by improving the weaknesses that our school system face

● better utilize our support staff

● grade levels could be together again with more room in the schools /Freeing up some space

● we could utilize our teachers and staff as resources across the three schools

● a consistent approach to curriculum gives parents the opportunity to gain a sense of community

● plan engaging activities during the school day between elementary students

● capitalize on the big “grade-level” events and bring all three schools together to support

● more district-wide professional development opportunities at grade level

● a one-district focus

● more community resource opportunities, artist in residence, experts, one on one student workshops,

● more assemblies, opportunities to hands on learning

● more parent opportunities for involvement

● more family events. Utilize campus of resources ELHS-Flanders LBH-ELMS. More district wide elementary school activities, cooperative games

● advertise

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THREATS: What obstacles might the district face in the future?

● school vouchers-weakness if we don't put money into schools

● inter-district waivers

● budget cuts freezing $

● we don't put money into schools

● running out of room in buildings due to new construction

● having to redistrict again due to uneven population growth

● lack of funds both town and state

● parent concerns

● physical state of the buildings

● having parents choosing a different school district based on the condition of the schools not being addressed

● how long can the buildings can last

● the financial uncertainty: state cutting money, losing grants, government spending, etc.

● the East Lyme School District is highly sought after and enrollment could surge

● the identified areas of future housing developments will impact enrollment

● the amount of time the district has to effectively put together a plan

● what if the referendum fails

● enrollment going way up or way down requiring re-districting within a short amount of time

● families selection of houses/neighborhoods for specific schools that will be changed

● miscommunications and anxiety build up

● magnet school flight, how do we as EL Elementary schools market ourselves better for families to stay

● budget

● housing developments, will we have to do this again in another 4 years? Make sure we will not need to, need projections to be realistic

● evaluate population study every 5 years, instead of 20. Unequal allocation of resources

● mass exodus from Flanders. Flanders has all losses, a parent came in concerned and wanted for me to express this. It is something to consider. All children will experience some sort of change, losses. gains, all changes. How can we make them OK, it comes from all of us, as adults, we need to feel ok, so we can show them it is ok. Kids are resilient. All schools are good.

● growing opportunity, make it positive, not about who is left behind, who has left. Build a community with what you have.

● why can't all elementary schools come together, events

● build upon school pride, school stores, pencils, rulers, wrist band bracelets for sale after lunch, before school....etc.

● LEARN leaving, loss of revenue? Is that a consideration? I do not know budget. I always hear of budget cuts.

What would make the redistricting process a success? (i.e., balancing enrollment, services amongst schools, town wide equity, maintain neighborhoods with the least impact on families, racially and socioeconomically balanced schools, sustainability that lasts for at least 10 years, long term solutions, etc.)

Communication and Community:

● communication to town members on the purpose of redistricting and how it is happening

● explaining what is being done per building in alterations and later needs/plans

● open house for community

● communication and clarity throughout redistricting process for all constituents involved

● the three East Lyme elementary schools become a unified brand while maintaining the unique culture in each neighborhood school

● increasing community events and opportunities through support and participation between all three schools (i.e. organized meetings that involve all of the schools PTA’s to ensure the success of the transition and beyond)

● all stakeholders keep posted on the same information during the process

● students/Families visiting prospective schools prior to school starting

● public forums in the elementary schools for Q&A /information

● community buy-in. Let us know what is happening, when it is happening, more communication

● community wide events, celebrate our students game nights, family fun days, movies on the beach….change is good, change is inevitable constant. Skype between schools, pen pals, summer building visits, play time, new playground equipment at each school….something for kids to look forward to. Artwork project for every child to do and have posted at new school. Make a big deal of looking for their contribution on first day(s) of school. Remember the cows that we decorated across towns, now there are whales? What if our students in every elementary school did something like that. And we had them throughout the schools. Excited to see themselves a part of the school right away.

● we are East Lyme - we are all East Lyme Enrollment:

● balancing enrollment with developmentally appropriate class sizes by redistricting (continue to have small class sizes)

● balancing enrollment

● balanced enrollment 14

Equity of Student Services/Programs:

● special ed./support services not roaming/similar programming per building

● equity of specials across district

● special programs to stay in current buildings (ex. ABA, preschools, medically fragile..)

● equitable services for the schools

● equality and continuity in student support, staff, families and school community at large

Impact on Families:

● make redistricting parents comforted

● however-siblings would need to be split ex. siblings would go to neighborhood/street delegated school and special ed. children would go to whatever building house the special program needed

● ? what is to be done with parents asked to go to NCS this year??-Believe they should stay at NCS because they were willing to change for the system this year.? Not sure how this would be in relationship to not allowing inter-district waivers???

● getting support from the parents to transition in a positive way

● least impact to families

● happy parents, equity in resources

● success will be a town that has bought in to putting our students first. The investment we are making into their well -being, regardless of how difficult it may be, or feel, we show them it is possible to be happy and feel a part of something wonderful. Pride, well adjusted, happy children from happy parents. Students paint or mosaic new school sign? Something for the garden? A stepping stone?

Sustainability:

● referendum pass to put money for alterations in schools

● to be sustainable for the next 10 years

● will be not having to do this in another 4/5 years, we need to think long term

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December 20, 2016

Superintendent Newton opened the second meeting. He reiterated that the committee meetings are open to the public; however, no public comment or dialogue will be received. A complete set of letters received thus far from the community regarding elementary redistricting was distributed to each working group to be referred to as feedback while working through their task. Facilitator Amy Drowne noted that as a response to providing a channel for communicating with the public, business cards will be distributed to all committee members to hand out as a referral to the website and Help Desk. Meeting Task: Each subgroup completed a “Charge” worksheet to beginning answering the questions posed to them. Subgroup completed responses are noted below. Group 1: Consider Staffing Challenges and Adjustments as well as any Building Needs/Changes Across Schools

Group 2: Consider and Review Current and DRAFT Redefined School Boundary Lines

Review current School Boundary Lines

Review DRAFT Redefined School Boundary Lines

Transportation Needs

What do you observe with the current school boundary lines?

What do you observe with the redefined What transportation needs must be considered when redistricting?

-Certain neighborhoods Giants Neck/Freedom Way etc., travel past one school to attend another -Long Bus Rides -Niantic Center has a smaller area giving them a lower enrollment -Extremely Long Bus route for the Giants Neck Buses -Neighborhoods divided

-Bus rides would be shorter, with the potential to reduce bus referrals - Larger impact on student population at LBH, losing 100 students and gaining 70 students, Flanders is losing 80, NC is gaining 100 -Fixing the separation of Sleepy Hollow neighborhood, having the whole neighborhood attending the same school -Far fewer neighborhoods divided

-Time on Bus -Childcare -Routing

Staffing Challenges

Staffing Adjustments

Building Needs

Building Changes

What staffing challenges need to be considered when redistricting?

What staffing adjustments may need to be considered when redistricting?

What building needs must be considered when redistricting?

What building changes must be considered when redistricting?

Who moves and how is it decided, volunteers first and process after that with collaboration between administration/ELTA Provide contract hours for planning, lunchtime, and travel time if needed/gas Programs/timing of students affected by PPTs and scheduling when staff move throughout the district

Teachers moved within district Teachers increased hours ex. All specials fulltime at NCS, increase in special services hours ex.-speech, O.T., P.T., school psychologists, social worker Special service staff need increase in time in a building so meetings/planning do not affect tier/services provided Secretary increase Lunch/playground supervision

Technology equipment, Air quality, windows, furniture, site work, rugs, floors, upgrading rooms, larger risers, supplies/classroom equipment Handicapped accessibility

Looping vs. not looping, Room changes Philosophy differences acceptable and curriculum must be the same

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Group 3: Consider and Develop a Communication Plan for Parents and the Public

Consider Current Communication Practices

Develop a Communication Plan

What are effective means that the district communicates to date? What means of communication must be considered when redistricting?

ELPS Website: Information of current and past district elementary plans, community forum Q&A, and the “pop-up” reminders of new information when entering the site. District wide distribution of “Letter from Superintendent” to bring attention to important information. Digital Backpack and Infinite Campus resources.

Consider all populations of East Lyme who are looking for information; some groups do not exclusively communicate digitally. Utilizing newspapers such as The Lyme Times, The Day, brochures, Library, Senior Center to reach out to these groups. Parent Forums at individual schools and possible community forums at Senior Center. Being responsive to misinformation that comes to light in the process and address any issues that may arise, i.e. social media.

Group 4: Consider Estimated Costs and Impact on the General Fund Budget

Estimated Costs Impact on the General Fund Budget

What estimated costs must be considered when redistricting? What impact could redistricting have on the General Fund budget?

Refurbish Unused Classrooms Additional furniture Technology Upgrades and Expansion Staffing hour increases for Specials Teachers Staffing increases for shared services between schools Staff increases for additional staff, including library, media center, aides Re-adjustment of per-people costs Physical move of teachers between schools, boxes, etc., per diem costs for time associated with moving Per diem teacher costs/facility costs for having new families visit schools/teachers Teachers moved getting up to speed/PD on new teaching for uniformity between the ES Costs for curriculum materials for uniformity between the ES Copy costs between schools will change Custodial costs Secretarial Costs possible hiring more during the school year – No Summer 2017 off HVAC ongoing costs – heating/cooling new classrooms Additional NCS playscape

REFERENDUM COSTS: Air quality – HVAC refurbishment/Heating re-done Windows at NCS GYM refurbishments

Group 5: Consider Impact on Students and Families while Investigating Educational Benefits

Impact on Students

Impact on Families

Educational Benefit

What impact on students must be considered when redistricting?

What impact on families must be considered when redistricting?

What is the educational benefit of redistricting?

Constellation program (Flanders) Looping classes (Niantic Center School) Missing friends Equity of experiences (expected experiences) Emotional/social fallout-gains, losses Concern for well-being Long bus rides Loss of school identity

Day care planning and expense PTA fundraising not going to school they worked for fundraising funds to go to Separated from siblings Different experience than alumni sibling Long bus rides (highway routes)

Equity of services Balanced resources Classroom size-classroom Student needs reflecting classroom construction

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January 4, 2017

Superintendent Newton and Facilitator Amy Drowne distributed business type cards for members to hand out to the public directing them to information pertaining to the redistricting of the elementary schools. Amy Drowne noted that the third meeting outcome plan was to make a proposed action plan to the Board of Education. Reviewed and briefly discussed information provided by other groups from past two meetings. Topics that were consistently discussed in all five groups: Intradistrict transfers Building needs vs. costs Transportation concerns Impact to staffing Grandfathering *Commonalities of the five success criteria bullets were noted. Superintendent Newton distributed minutes of the December 29, 2016 Design Steering Committee and reviewed conversation that may have an impact on the redistricting timeline. He briefly reviewed the three school $30-35 million renovation proposed plan and asked the committee to base its recommendation on a September 2017 implementation date. Committee members expressed concern regarding the difficulty in making a proposal without knowing all the information. Facilitator Drowne said the Board of Education will review the 2 proposals based on what information the committee has available now and decide when redistricting will occur and whether it will be delayed or phased in as to minimize the impact on students as much as possible. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2018. Meeting Task: Develop action plan using the template provided and taking into consideration any additional data they have. Groups were asked to identify at least 2-3 proposed actions or strategies that their group would like to make and what strategies or actions cannot be ignored.

January 25, 2017

Superintendent Newton informed the committee that the alteration projects for the three elementary schools was approved by the Board of Education this past Monday by a unanimous decision and has been forwarded to the Board of Selectmen for review on February 1. Meeting Task: The committee broke into their five small groups to review the entire draft plan proposal and to recommend:

- edits or revisions - one summary statement and recommended timeline for when redistricting should occur

The committee reviewed edits/revisions, summary statements and timeline from each of the five groups and reassembled and reviewed small group edits/revisions, summary statements and timeline. Discussion ensued regarding the following issues/concerns:

- school assignments for new students moving into town - overcrowding at Flanders School and possible use of preschool space - additional time needed for school collaboration and professional development (i.e. consistency in

programming across schools) - always doing what is best for children

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Committee Consensus (Statement and Timeline) The Committee recommends not redistricting until construction is completed or it is deemed appropriate for students to redistrict under a tiered process as building projects move forward. Superintendent Newton and Facilitator Amy Drowne, on behalf of the students, administration and staff, thanked the committee for their work and for bettering education in East Lyme.

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