Full text of Dr. Morses public memo to the board regarding elementary equity: ---------------------------------------------------- To: Oyster River School Board Fr: Jim Morse, Superintendent Re: Equity in Elementary Enrollment Date: November 20, 2013 Is it possible to create a solution to the inequitable enrollment between the two elementary schools while finding a solution that builds community? An answer which would not be divisive, would not require moving children currently enrolled, and in the end create a permanent solution? This week I had the opportunity to meet with a group of parents who believe there is such a possibility. After listening to their ideas, I am optimistic that their concept is heading in the right direction. However, there are still details that will require additional clarification. To that end, I would like to ask the Board to delay your decision until the December 18th, meeting. This will allow me time to assemble a Superintendent’s Advisory Committee that will consist of parents and staff members that will work together to find resolve for the inequitable enrollment issue. The goals that have been guiding my recommendations to the Board regarding equitable enrollment between Moharimet and Mast Way are as follows: 1. Decrease the disparity in enrollment between Moharimet at 409 students and Mast Way at 292 students 2. Bring the enrollment numbers at the two schools within functional capacity which is 349 students for Moharimet and 369 students for Mast Way 3. Create a solution that is permanent that does not require students changing schools every five or so years, and 4. Eliminate the use of portable classrooms at Moharimet Over the course of the past month we have heard and seen our elementary parental community and staff in deep dialogue around the two options presented: • First - rerouting buses to move 66 students from Moharimet to Mast Way • Second - repurpose the schools to: K-2 and 3-4. Moving forward, we should never be afraid of new ideas, as they are the foundation of deep dialogue and are critically necessary in order to make progress. Self-reflection and challenge are vital ingredients to growth. At this point in time, I would like to thank the parents and staff members who have expressed their concerns and ideas, through emails, letters and phone calls. From these communications, it is apparent that the significance of this issue is understood by all. The School Board directed me at the last Board meeting…”to present other options with at least one being that Kindergarten be moved to Mast Way…by November 20.” The “Other Option” as required by the School Board was conceived by a group of parents looking for a solution that could unite our community. Their idea would be for administration to have the authority to place students so that the goal of equitable enrollment can be achieved without divisiveness or contention. Highlights of their idea, which I will present more fully on Wednesday, are to maintain the K-4 Model with the following conditions: • Unenrolled Kindergarten Students without siblings would be placed by administration in Mast Way for the fall of 2014 • (Dr. Morse’s addition) Any new students to the District in grades 1-4 would be placed by administration in Mast Way • Enrollment would be managed every year so that new students would be placed at Mast Way until it reaches comparable enrollment with Moharimet • Even after school to school equity is reached, enrollment would continue to be managed by administration to ensure that grade to grade equity is achieved • NO new buses will be needed • Population density or busing would guide placement • No child(ren) is forced to relocate from Moharimet to Mast Way • The Modular at Moharimet is eliminated by 2017 • Improve Special Education classroom space in Moharimet by 2016 There is real potential in the Managing Enrollment option that needs refinement. I am asking the School Board’s permission to work with a cross section of the community to work through this option more thoroughly. ----------------------------------------------------
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 16:27:01 +0000
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