 AGENDA 6:00 p.m. – Introductions 6:05 p.m. – Randy Everett, Founder 6:20 p.m. – Where we’ve been 6:45 p.m. – Where we’re going 7:00 p.m. – Tableside discussions 8:00 p.m. – Adjourn Agenda

DISCLAIMER # 1 The number one goal in these expansion discussions: The protection of Liberty Common School

DISCLAIMER # 2 The Board of Directors and school administration have taken no position regarding the expansion of this school

Expansion?  Liberty Common School has been expanding since its inception Washington Core Knowledge Opening of Liberty Common Primary grades Addition of the upper school ARTIOS addition Addition of the track and field High school?

Who we are  Liberty Common School, an authorized charter school in the Poudre School District A John J. Irwin School of Excellence National NCLB Blue Ribbon School National Charter School of the Year Official Core Knowledge Visitation site Top 1-5% CSAP scores in the state Financially strong, academically accountable

Where we’ve been  1997 – Opened Liberty Common School  2002 – High School expansion effort  2007 – PSD announced middle school shift  2007 – 9 th -grade enrollment concerns spur the Board to contemplate options  Spring 2008 – Opened discussions with PSD regarding expansion

Where we’ve been  Summer 2008 – Dialogue with PSD Charter school relations committee - Positive Correspondence with PSD - Positive Board discussions, 2 committees formed  Site visits, financial modeling, curriculum discussions, school culture, community School-wide survey (Spring 2008)

School-wide survey results Given the school district’s grade reconfiguration, if you had to decide today, would your child attend 9 th grade at Liberty or 9 th grade at PSD? Liberty = 81 PSD = 14 Unsure = 3

School-wide survey results Are you generally in favor of adding an additional track of K-8 or K-9 to the existing facility on the current site? Yes = 55 No = 30 Unsure = 9

School-wide survey results Are you generally in favor of a Liberty Common High School offering, 9 th -12 th grade? Yes = 86 No = 9 Unsure = 2

School-wide survey results If Liberty Common offered a high school, how important would the location of the campus be in your decision to attend? Low importance = 43 Neutral = 39 High importance = 16

School-wide survey results How much importance* would you place on having the following regarding high school programs and culture? 4.39 = Spanish 4.09 = Technology/drafting/engineering 4.00 = Business/marketing/management 3.93 = Sports 3.90 = Drama/art 3.85 = Band 3.77 = Dress code (*as a mean from 1-5)

School-wide survey results If Liberty Common offered a high school, what types of curricula or classes would be most important to you? AP course selections Math/science focus Classics/Classical liberal

Where we’ve been  As a charter school, we operate under a contract with PSD  An expansion requires an amendment to the contract  On March 31, 2008 we requested approval for expansion: “To that end, Liberty Common School is formally seeking to modify our Charter/Contract to allow for an increase in the size of our school, from two tracks of K-9 to four tracks of K-9, and the addition of high school grades ”

Where we’ve been  PSD responded with the following concerns (May 20, 2008) : Accessibility Contract issues Traffic mitigation Financial considerations for the 2010 bond issue “Chairman Horton, the Poudre School District Board of Education is prepared to move forward with approval of your request, with the considerations outlined above.”

Where we’ve been  We responded by proposing an amendment which would include (June 19, 2008): An updated mission statement regarding grades Goals, objectives and pupil performance standards Evidence of adequate support from community A description of the programs Pupil performance standards and evaluation Financial plans Enrollment policies Impact to PSD schools

Where we’ve been  September 2008 PSD School Board President Larry Neal agreed to accept an amendment proposal as outlined by Liberty Common School Assured a 60-day negotiation upon receipt

Where we’re going A vision for growth

Where we’re going August 2010 Liberty Common School Elementary Kindergarten through 6th grade Add third track starting with K-3 Liberty Common School Junior/Senior High School Wind Power building Grades 7-10

Where we’re going August 2011 – August 2013 Liberty Common School Junior/Senior High School Wind Power building Grades 7-12 Liberty Common School Elementary 3 track K additional students

Where we’re going  Elementary school considerations 3 track K-6 school Move grades 5-6 upstairs Remodel some classrooms to support new configuration Hire additional staff to support third track Build addition to support final growth model

Where we’re going  High school considerations  Small school approach  Math/Science magnet  AP courses/college prep  Character/moral development  Combined campus  Shared facilities and staff  Sports offerings (boys and girls): Soccer, track and field, basketball, volleyball

Where we’re going  Next steps Rewrite 2002 amendment to PSD Negotiate amendment with PSD Issue returns to Liberty Common School for final approval Open Colorado’s finest high school

Where we’re going  What can I do? Support charter schools Educate yourself Tell one friend about expansion Tell all of your friends about expansion Commit to some level of involvement Lobby PSD Board, Liberty Board and Liberty parents

Where we’re going  What can I do? Small group/committee work General administrative support Budget Curriculum/Scheduling Moral/character development Facilities Staffing/enrollment CHSAA, sports

Questions?