Grade Configuration Task Force

January 19, 2006

Background Information   – The Grade Reconfiguration TASK force reported the following to the Superintendent October 20, 2005:

1. Proceed with the action of forming subcommittees to address the following concerns.

§ Educational Programs (curriculum, staffing, etc)

§ Support Services (transportation, facilities, etc)

§ Enrollment, Equity, Economics

2. Consider all forms of reconfiguration and not limit the best decision to only Kindergarten – Fifth grade.  Examples:  PK-5, 1-5 with a separate PK-K complex, the addition of portable classrooms, and others as indicated by the subcommittees.

3. Consider accepting a 2007-2008 start date.

The proposal to hold off any major change decision until the 2007-2008 school year was accepted by the HISD administration and board of trustees.  The HISD administration did ask for consideration to make changes to address the current over-crowding at the three primary campuses.

As of January 2006, the following is in place:

· All Pre K classrooms will be housed on the Stanton Campus beginning 2006-2007.

· Ongoing discussion regarding a grade level (K,1,2,3), or portion of a grade level moving onto the West Central and Bluebonnet campuses for 2006-2007.  (This decision to be made in February 2006 to provide time for transition and to accommodate any construction needs.)

· A new taskforce will meet one time per month, January 2006 – December 2006 to make recommendation to the superintendent regarding a long term reconfiguration plan.

The new taskforce met on January 19, 2006.  A list of concerns was identified from the barriers shared in the fall from staff, parent and community meetings:

• Staff Assignment – If a move is to be made, how will staff decisions be made?
• Models – How have other districts in consolidation or growth managed their grade configurations?
• Lines of Attendance – Where will lines be drawn for a range of grade configurations?  How soon will we have access to this information?
• Age appropriate facilities – Size of classrooms, desks, bathrooms, cafeteria, etc.
• Specialty Programs – How will special programs be administered?  GT/Bilingual/ESL/Special Education/Libraries/Computers and Software/Playground Equipment
• Curriculum and Supplies – How will the division of these items be determined?
• Moving – Physical furniture and teacher materials; furniture; timelines

The above list also identifies the priority of the taskforce.  (All items and concerns are important, but we intend to focus on one or two at a time in order to make a completely informed recommendation.)

We request your input regarding this list of concerns and commit to providing the staff and stakeholders of Hereford ISD with ongoing communication regarding any decisions and proposals.

Please send suggestions to the attention of Kelli Moulton, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, kellimoulton@herefordisd.net.