1. Forestville USD Guerneville USD West Sonoma County Union HSD September 2011

2. Question Explored By working together, can school districts overcome decreasing state revenue and declining enrollment to … continue strong student achievement in grades 7/8 while creating more of the social, extra curricular and high school readiness opportunities highly recommended for grade 7/8 students?

3. Overview of the presentation Explanation of the Option Educational 1. Student achievement 2. Student enrollment 3. Middle school program recommendations 4. Status of implementing recommendations 5. Potential Benefits to Students and Districts Financial 1. Background 2. Status of the analysis Logistical 1. What we’ve explored so far 2. Status of exploration to date 3. Planning process going forward 4. Topics to address in planning Questions on the presentation Input and feedback on a possible 7/8 option

4. What we are exploring? Why we are exploring itWhat we are exploring? Why we are exploring it With budget cuts and declining enrollment it is increasingly difficult to maintain the program we have for middle school students. The Districts see that middle school students have unique and important needs. We are exploring if we can increase resources for students in grades 7/8 so we can offer them more while maintaining the K-6 program.

5. The Option Being Explored We are looking at combining grade 7/8 students from Guerneville and Forestville Schools into one school. This school would provide a program tailored to middle school development and would have a principal/counselor to provide more direct support. There would be more social and extracurricular opportunities. Due to how Forestville and Guerneville are funded, it is cost prohibitive for either school to offer the 7/8 program.

6. The Option Being Explored West Sonoma County Union High School District (WSCUHSD) was asked if they would explore offering the 7/8 program. WSCUHSD agreed to work with the elementary districts to explore expanding and providing the 7/8 program. The funding per student is higher for high school districts. It is assumed that the 7/8 program, if feasible, would be offered on a K-8 school site. The site has not been decided but we do know that transportation costs would be less at Forestville.

7. Student Achievement

8. School Performance Guerneville USDForestville USD API (2011)854825 2010 Statewide Rank86 2010 Similar Schools Rank 105

9. Student Enrollment Last year, there were 112 7/8 students at Forestville USD and 81 students at Guerneville USD (2010 CBEDS) for a total of 193 students. With declining enrollment, there are now 106 grade 7/8 students at Forestville USD and 58 at Guerneville USD for a total of 164 students.

10. Middle School Program Findings Caught in the Middle, California Dept. Of Education, 1987 “Middle grade students are unique.” “No other grade span encompasses such a wide range of intellectual, physical, psychological and social development....”

11. MS Program Recommendations EdSource Middle School Study, 2010 If we want to significantly increase the number of students who graduate from high school ready for work and college, we MUST start when students are younger by dramatically increasing the number of students who leave the middle grades ready to succeed in a rigorous high school curriculum.

12. MS Program Recommendations The National Middle School Association and the National Association of Secondary School Principals have developed middle school program recommendations. The following slides show which recommendations are already in place and which we might be able to add through working together on an enhanced 7-8 educational program option..

13. Recommendations Already In Place Students are educated in small and personal learning environments. The curriculum is aligned to standards and student progress on these standards is monitored. Adults reach out to form meaningful relationships with students. Teachers focus on active learning, project learning and provide interventions when students need them. Teachers are highly trained and fully credentialed for the subjects taught. There is a structured time for teachers to talk about instructional practice and to plan together.

14. Recommendations Not in Place The National Middle School Association recommends small schools of 300 - 400 students. At very small schools, there are fewer opportunities for students to participate in extracurricular activities, including social events, which help bind students to school (Cotton, 2001). There is not a comprehensive advisory or program that ensures that each student has frequent and meaningful opportunities to meet with an adult to plan and assess the student’s academic, personal and social development. (Breaking Ranks, 2010) There is not a direct system to support students in the transition to high school. Due to school size, teachers have few opportunities for collaboration and articulation with peers in the same content area.

15. Potential student benefits Opportunities for more social development with a larger group of peers. Opportunities for more extracurricular activities due to a larger school size. Specific support/counseling for the unique development of students at a key transition time. Opportunities to develop interests and take classes that can be continued in high school. A smoother transition to high school. More students could be more prepared for core academics in high school due to increased curriculum alignment.

16. Potential District Benefits Forestville Union School District Maintain/expand upon existing middle school program model with a minimum of at least two classes per grade level. Because of the existing basic aid status, projected per student revenue will increase for grades K-6. Guerneville Union School District Maintain/expand middle school program model with smaller class sizes in core classes. Restore PE and technology programs. Enter basic aid status which would increase revenue for grades K-6. West Sonoma County Union High School District Increase articulation and more directly support students in the transition to high school. Potentially build a ladder for elective programs from middle school into high school

17. Financial Background High school districts receive a higher revenue limit per student than K-8 school districts. High school districts can offer grades 7-8, but not 6th. For several months we have tried to confirm whether 7-8 students would be funded at the high school level or if the revenue limit would needed to be blended. There is precedent for not blending the revenue limit. We received an e-mail from the CA Department of Education on August 29 th saying that the revenue limit would need to be blended. We are exploring options for a non-blended revenue limit.

18. Financial Analysis Status A budget has been developed for the blended revenue limit. There is not enough funding for an enhanced 7/8 program. The Sonoma County Office of Education is working with us to get the state to agree to funding students in grades 7-12 at the higher High School District revenue level. If we were to be funded at this level the funding would be tight but it might be enough to enhance the 7/8 program.

19. What we’ve explored so far… Information was collected and analyzed on the 7/8 program. Superintendents and a Board representatives met with SCOE for an initial review of information. Detailed timeline and action plan was developed for the study. SCOE met with CTA field representative to explain the purpose of the study. WSCUHSD began analyzing operating costs for a 7/8 program. GUSD and FUSD developed preliminary K-6 operating budgets to understand impacts. Special education impacts have been researched. Meetings were held with teachers to get input and identify additional considerations. Joint Board (three districts) meeting was held to discuss content and issues related to the study.

20. Status of Exploration to Date We can’t move forward unless the state agrees to funding 7/8 students at the high school district level. If we get agreement from the state, then we would refine a budget and work with each Board to see if there was agreement on proceeding. We would also address a timeline. We would only convert to the 7/8 model if funding was sufficient to offer a better program. If we proceed we would work with our teachers and their associations. There would be open communication and planning.

21. Planning Process Going Forward Report to Boards on additional findings (October) Wait to see if the state will fund at the non-blended level Districts develop a budget with a non-blended revenue level and identify if any shortfall can be overcome. Districts discuss options and process for transfer of 7/8 teachers. Develop a planning team structure. Develop a coordinated communications plan with opportunities for staff and parent input. Develop a MOU between Districts that addresses: Transfer of staffing, seniority, salary schedule placement and benefits Facility Educational program description Student schedule Creation of a new combined school culture Special education

22. Topics to Address in Planning Address contractual issues and salary placement for existing MS staff. Plan staff, student and parent meetings that give opportunities for input on how the program will be developed. Identify transition costs and how costs will be paid. Confirm facilities and how rooms would be used. Boards take action on 7/8 reconfiguration. Develop a daily student schedule that is efficient for transportation. Clarify teacher schedule (preps., early release days) Address cultural issues – for example, Guerneville and Forestville students would continue in the family tradition of graduating from these schools. Address difference in 7/8 curriculum materials. Address different funding/providers for after school programs. Plan food service. Plan transportation. Plan opportunities for teachers to begin working together on articulation and planning the new school culture.

23. Questions and Comments 1. Questions about the presentation 2. Comments and feedback about the potential 7/8 program option.