Superintendent's Message
by Michael A. Latusek
District Studying Possible Restructuring of Elementary Schools
Since the beginning of this school year, the District has been exploring ways to provide a more equitable delivery of educational programs for all of our students. We formed restructuring subcommittees comprised of parents, teachers, board members and administrators that studied a variety of options. The subcommittees then made recommendations to the entire group. The administrators and I have reviewed the findings and recommendations and carefully compiled them into a plan that we believe will provide equity in resources and educational programs across the district to ensure that the best practices are used in our schools and classrooms.
The plan, which involves incorporating a “sister school” concept in our elementary buildings, would involve pairing Elizabeth with William Penn as sister schools and Greenock with Mt. Vernon as sister schools. In that configuration, Elizabeth would house kindergarten and grade 1 and William Penn would house grades 2 through 5. Greenock would house kindergarten through grade 2 and Mt. Vernon would house grades 3 through 5. Central School would continue to house grades kindergarten through 5. However, a change in street boundaries moving some students to Central School from Mt. Vernon’s attendance areas and moving some of Central’s attendance areas to William Penn will allow for the projected new housing growth that will expand both Central and William Penn’s population. Due to its size and configuration, Central School would be able to accommodate the anticipated growth due to future new housing.
In the upcoming weeks, I will hold meetings in each of the elementary schools for the purpose of discussing the sister school concept, gathering input and answering questions regarding this proposed reorganization. I will also present the many practical and educational advantages of moving ahead with the sister school plan. The following are a few:
- The sister school concept will enable us to provide more consistent curricular opportunities and equalize class sizes throughout our elementary schools thus benefiting all of our students. Presently, class sizes range from 12 to 28 students in one building. For example, third grade may have 23 and 24 students in a certain school, yet in another building it may have 12 and 14 students. Currently, in some schools spaces designed originally for storage are being used as classrooms. At the same time similar classes in other buildings enjoy more than adequate space.
- The sister school concept provides a more efficient and practical use of our district resources. Instead of multiplying every purchase by 5, we will be able to purchase more age appropriate resources with the same budget.
- The sister school concept provides for greater and more consistent collaboration among teachers of the same grade level.
- The sister school concept provides for an easier transition to the middle school both socially and academically.
- Sister schools will allow residents to send their children to their neighborhood elementary school. There are currently many children being bussed to elementary schools outside of their neighborhood because of a lack of space in the school closest to their home.
- Sister schools will provide us with the space, resources and staff to offer all-day kindergarten consistently throughout the district.
- We currently have one RTI (response-to-intervention specialist) and one gifted teacher serving students in sixty different classrooms across the district. This proposal would allow us to realign some of our current staff to provide some additional services, such as these, for our students.
The Board, administration and teachers of this district value your input and wish to be sensitive to your needs and concerns. You will be receiving information through letters sent home with our students, our website, phone master system, e-mail and local newspapers regarding the dates and times of meetings to be held in each of the elementary schools. The specifics of this proposal, including the obvious logistical ramifications will be discussed in further detail at these meetings. The information compiled from our discussions and a completed survey will help us to refine an educational plan that will serve to maximize the benefits to all elementary students in our district.
I look forward to meeting with you receiving your input. Thank you for your time on behalf of our children.
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