Quincy Public Schools K-5 Learning Community Plan Transitioning the District to Five Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Learning Communities 1416 Maine Street Quincy, IL 62305 p. 217-228-7158 f. 217-228-7162 murphyjo@qps.org www.qps.org QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 1
Executive Summary With the passage of the 2014 Building Bond Referendum, the Quincy Public Schools have been entrusted with the opportunity to transform the educational landscape of the Quincy community. This August, the first major project of the referendum, the additions and renovations to Quincy High School, will allow us to move to a traditional high school model for grades nine through twelve. The move to a 9-12 High School provides us with the opportunity to move sixth grade to Quincy Junior High School and provide a middle school model for grades 6-8. The next major step in our building program will be the opening of the first of our five new K-5 Elementary Schools on the Monroe Site in 2017. This also brings us to our next major transition point, moving to a K-5 elementary school model and the implementation process needed to create Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Learning Communities. The process to create these K-5 Learning Communities is not just about constructing buildings and moving students and staff. It is about building a neighborhood of students, teachers, parents, support staff, and the community, where students can grow academically and emotionally in a safe and healthy environment. In order to accomplish this, we have identified four major tasks in this implementation process. They are: Construct and equip 5 K-5 Elementary Schools Develop Attendance Boundaries that provides equal diversity in all schools as much as possible Develop a plan to staff the new buildings to meet the needs of the students Develop a plan to move students and staff into the new Learning Communities This report will provide a basic outline for accomplishing these tasks, along with timelines and milestones for each area. Several of the tasks will require extensive planning and participation from various stakeholders as we move toward implementation. The plan we are laying out can be adjusted as circumstances permit, but the ultimate goal is to have things in place for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 2
Construct and Equip 5 K-5 Elementary Schools This task is in full swing with the construction of the New School on the Monroe Site and the school at the ADM site currently out for bid. The original construction schedule called for opening a new elementary school a year, with the last school opening in the Fall of 2021. We are proposing a new schedule that would have two schools open each year after the Monroe Site building, with the final two opening in the Fall of 2019. Attendance Boundaries The Board of Education has given the charge to form a steering committee to look at establishing new attendance boundaries for our elementary schools. The Board has directed that the new boundaries provide, as much as possible, for equal diversity and opportunity. This committee will be facilitated by Joel Murphy, Business Manager, and is set to start in September. The District is seeking members to provide their unique perspective on the impact of forming new boundaries. It is the goal of the committee to have a recommendation to the Board of Education before the end of December. Building Staffing Plan A critical component of staffing these new buildings is the naming of the principals for these facilities. It is expected that the announcement of the candidates for these positions will be announced at the July 2016 Board of Education Meeting. These five individuals will be working with Carol Frericks and Julie Stratman to develop a process to assign staff to best meet the needs of our students. They are hoping to have the process in place so that our teaching staff will know their assignment by the end of December and that support staff would know before the end of the school year. Moving to Learning Communities The concept of a Learning Community is to include all aspects of students lives to make them successful. Or as our Mission Statement states it, Educate students and teachers to achieve personal excellence. It also involves QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 3
developing partnerships with parents and the community at large to create the culture of excellence called for in the District s Vision Statement. We feel that in order to accomplish this, we need to move to the five communities as soon as possible. We are proposing to move all students and staff to their new Learning Communities with the opening of the New Elementary School at the Monroe Site. As part of this proposal, we would assign some of our current facilities to serve a transitional role to house the Learning Community for a year or two, until their new school is ready. We feel that this will give all those involved a jump start on developing the culture of their new school. They will have the opportunity to work together to plan for the physical move and other activities it will take to build this new community. QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 4
Mission, Vision and Strategies Statement Mission Educate students and teachers to achieve personal excellence. Vision The Quincy Public School District is committed to creating a culture of excellence in education for college and career readiness by Engaging students to achieve personal excellence; Building professional knowledge and excellent teaching practices through collaboration; Utilizing curriculum aligned to the state standards; Establishing high expectations and improving student growth; and Developing active partnerships with parents and the community. Guiding Principles and Goals 1. Construct and equip 5 K-5 Elementary Schools. a. New School at the Monroe Site Open Fall 2017 b. New Schools at the ADM Site and the North 12 th Street Site Open Fall of 2018 c. Acquire Southwest Quadrant Site d. New Schools at Baldwin Site and the Southwest Site by the Fall of 2019 2. Develop Attendance Boundaries that provides equal diversity in all schools as much as possible 3. Develop a plan to staff the new buildings to meet the needs of the students 4. Develop a plan to move students and staff into the new Learning Communities QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 5
Construct and Equip 5 K-5 Elementary Schools At the start of the construction program, the District had laid out a schedule that had a new elementary school opening every year for the next five years. This put the completion of the last school in the Fall of 2021. There were multiple reasons for taking a conservative approach including concern about stressing the construction market, adaptability and constructability of the prototype design, and site availability. 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 N D J F M N D J F M ID Project Name J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J 1.0 School Construction Schedule Quincy High School - Addition and 1.1 Renovations 1.1.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.1.2 Construction 1.1.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In New Elementary School at Monroe 1.2 Site 1.2.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.2.2 Construction 1.2.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In 1.3 New Elementary School 1.3.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.3.2 Construction 1.3.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In 1.4 New Elementary School 1.4.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.4.2 Construction 1.4.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In 1.5 New Elementary School 1.5.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.5.2 Construction 1.5.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In New Elementary School at Baldwin 1.6 Site 1.6.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.6.2 Construction 1.6.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In After construction got underway at the Monroe Site and planning commenced on the ADM site, some of the reservation we had diminished. We are now confident that we can have multiple buildings under construction without straining local resources and affecting constructability. The new schedule takes into account the ADM site, which is currently out to bid, and moves the construction schedule up for the North 12 th Street site. Bids for North 12 th Street will be due in early November, with construction starting in the spring of 2017. The method of construction is also helping with the schedule. The ADM building is being built with typical brick and block construction. This site has a 24-month construction schedule. The North 12 th Street site will be built with pre-cast concrete panels, just like the Monroe site. The North 12 th Street site will have an 18-month construction schedule. Both buildings will be ready for the Fall of 2018. The final two buildings will follow a similar schedule. In conjunction with our Learning Communities plan, we are hoping to have the Baldwin site available QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 6
for a 24-month construction schedule. With all of the demolition that needs to be completed before the actual construction begins, we need all the time we can get for the Baldwin facility. The Southwest site would then have an 18- month schedule, letting both buildings be completed by the Fall of 2019. 2016-2017 2017-2018 2014-2015 2015-2016 2018-2019 2019-2020 ID Project Name Start End Months J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J J A S O N D J F M A M J 1.0 School Construction Schedule Quincy High School - Addition and 1.1 Renovations 1.1.1 Final Design & Constr Docs 1.1.2 Construction 1.1.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In New Elementary School at Monroe 1.2 Site 1.2.1 Final Design & Constr Docs Dec '14 Aug '15 8 1.2.2 Construction Sep '15 Aug '17 25 1.2.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '17 Aug '17 3 1.3 New Elementary School @ ADM 1.3.1 Final Design & Constr Docs Dec '15 Aug '16 8 1.3.2 Construction Sep '16 Aug '18 24 1.3.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '18 Aug '18 3 1.4 New Elementary School @ N 12th St 1.4.1 Final Design & Constr Docs Jul '16 Feb '17 8 1.4.2 Construction Mar '17 Aug '18 18 1.4.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '18 Aug '18 3 1.5 New Elementary School - SW 1.5.1 Final Design & Constr Docs Dec '16 Aug '17 8 1.5.2 Construction Sep '17 Aug '19 24 1.5.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '19 Aug '19 3 New Elementary School at Baldwin 1.6 Site 1.6.1 Final Design & Constr Docs Jul '17 Feb '18 8 1.6.2 Construction Mar '18 Aug '19 18 1.6.3 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '19 Aug '19 3 Attendance Boundaries A steering committee is being formed to look at establishing new attendance boundaries for our elementary schools. The Board has directed that the new boundaries provide, as much as possible, for equal diversity and opportunity. This committee will be facilitated by Joel Murphy, Business Manager, and is set to start in September. The District is seeking members to provide their unique perspective on the impact of forming new boundaries. It is the goal of the committee to have a recommendation to the Board of Education before the end of December. Timeline August 2016 Solicit and Identify Committee Membership September 2016 November 2016 Study Factors and Enrollment Information. Develop Boundary Plans. December 2016 Prepare and present Recommendations to the Board of Education. QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 7
Building Staffing Plan Led by Carol Frericks, along with Julie Stratman and the five new school principals, we will develop a process to assign staff to the new elementary schools. The process will place staff to best meet the needs of our students in the District. The location and grade preferences of the staff will also be taken into account in developing the staffing plans. There will also be a process developed for teachers and staff to appeal their assignment and apply for an alternate assignment. The goal is to inform teaching staff of their assignment for the 2017 2018 school by December 2016. The goal for educational support staff is to know their assignments before the end of the school year. At the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year, teachers and support staff will begin the year as part of their new Learning Community. This will mean that almost all of our elementary staff will be moving to new locations for the 2017-2018 school year. Most of the staff will be located at schools serving as Transitional buildings until the new schools are completed. Some will be in these temporary locations for one year and the others will be there for two years. Timeline September 2016 November 2016 Develop building staffing needs and develop process to assign staff to meet those needs. November 2106 - December 2016 Begin process of informing teaching staff of their new assignments. February 2017 April 2017 Begin process of informing support staff of their new assignments. Moving to Learning Communities With a change in the boundaries, all students will be moving to a school that will have a different make up than the one they currently attend. These students come from strong Learning Communities of their existing schools, but we need to integrate the strength of what we have into our new alignment. The best way we feel that we can accomplish this is to move to the five communities at the same time as we open up the new School at the Monroe site. To understand how we are going to accomplish this, let s review what our current makeup looks like at the elementary level. For the 2016-2017 school QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 8
year, we will be operating seven K-3 buildings, along with the 4 th and 5 th graders at Baldwin. With the exception of 6 th grade moving to the Jr. High, our elementary schools will operate as they have in the past. There are no boundary changes planned and no staffing changes happening. The graphic below shows a representation of District and its current elementary boundaries. For the 2017-2018, the only new school opening will be the one at the Monroe site. So in order to have four other K-5 schools, we are proposing the creation of four Transitional Schools. A Transitional School would combine two of our existing school buildings to serve as one of the new school communities. In the case of Baldwin, it would be a transitional school in itself. Under this plan, Washington and Dewey would become the new North 12 th Street Learning Community, Berrian and Adams would become the Southwest Community, Baldwin would become the new ADM Community, and Madison and Ellington would become the new Baldwin Community. Some may be wondering why Baldwin is serving as the Transitional School for ADM, basically it allows us to get into Baldwin sooner, giving us that 24-month construction schedule. There is more than enough classroom capacity in the combined facilities to operate as a K-5 building. QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 9
Teachers and support staff will begin the new school year in their new Learning Community. Almost all of our elementary staff will be moving to new locations. All students and their families would be assigned to their new school community and be able to start developing the culture for their new community. QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 10
Timeline Under the plan, the Transitional School for the ADM site, (Baldwin) and the North 12 Street site, (Washington and Dewey), would be operated for the 2017-2018 school year. The Transitional School for the Baldwin site, (Madison and Ellington), and the Southwest site, Berrian and Adams), would be operated until the end of the 2018-2019 school year. The graphic below shows the construction schedule and the Transitional School Schedule 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M Project Name Start End Months J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J School Construction Schedule Baldwin Relocate from Existing Facilities May '17 Aug '17 8 Operate as School Aug '18 May '18 10 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '18 3 Washington/Dewey Operate as School Aug '18 May '18 10 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '18 4 Adams/Berrian Operate as School Aug '18 May '19 22 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '19 4 Madison/Ellington Operate as School Aug '18 May '19 22 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '19 4 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M N D J F M Project Name Start End Months J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J J A S O A M J School Construction Schedule Quincy High School - Addition and Renovations Final Design & Constr Docs Construction Building Commissioning & Move-In New Elementary School at Monroe Site Final Design & Constr Docs Dec '14 Aug '15 8 Construction Sep '15 Aug '17 25 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '17 Aug '17 3 New Elementary School @ ADM Final Design & Constr Docs Dec '15 Aug '16 8 Construction Sep '16 Aug '18 24 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '18 Aug '18 3 New Elementary School @ N 12th St Final Design & Constr Docs Jul '16 Feb '17 8 Construction Mar '17 Aug '18 18 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '18 Aug '18 3 New Elementary School - SW Final Design & Constr Docs Jul '17 Feb '18 8 Construction Mar '18 Aug '19 24 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '19 Aug '19 3 New Elementary School at Baldwin Site Final Design & Constr Docs Dec '16 Aug '17 8 Construction Sep '17 Aug '19 18 Building Commissioning & Move-In Jun '19 Aug '19 3 Baldwin Relocate from Existing Facilities May '17 Aug '17 8 Operate as School Aug '18 May '18 10 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '18 3 Washington/Dewey Operate as School Aug '18 May '18 10 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '18 4 Adams/Berrian Operate as School Aug '18 May '19 22 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '19 4 Madison/Ellington Operate as School Aug '18 May '19 22 Relocate to New Facility May '19 Aug '19 4 QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS K-5 LEARNING COMMUNITY PLAN JULY 2016 11