Greenburgh 7 Elementary School Reconfiguration Options

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Greenburgh 7Elementary School Reconfiguration
Options
Summary of the Analysis of Community
Feedback December 11, 2003
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Methodology

• Community feedback statements were sorted into
  four categories those related to
• Option 1
• Option 2
• Option 3
• General statements about reconfiguration
• Statements about each option were sorted into
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
• General statements/questions about the option

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Methodology

• Each options strengths and weaknesses were
  clustered by theme
• For each cluster, this summary reports a single
  representative statement and the number () of
  similar statements in that cluster

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K-1, 2-3, 4-6 Strengths

• Low cost This option maximizes current resources
  and facilities and requires no physical change to
  the buildings. (6)
• Community This option keeps the children of
  similar age together and retains a small
  community. (6)
• Developmentally appropriate This option provides
  an appropriate learning environment according to
  age. (5)
• Safety With this option we do not have to be
  worried about safety. (2)

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K-1, 2-3, 4-6 Strengths

• Choice There will be choice allowed. (1)
• Horizontal articulation Development
  support/horizontal articulation. (1)
• Diversity This option does not require a lottery
  and therefore there is less chance to repeat the
  historical inequities in our school system. (1)
• Staff expertise Maintains the current level of
  staff expertise. (1)
• Staff development resources Allows the focus on
  problems and leaves money for staff development.

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K-1, 2-3, 4-6 Weaknesses

• Vertical articulation There are problems with
  articulation between schools and a lack of a
  consistent curriculum. (6)
• Limited choice This option only really provides
  choice through the models. (4)
• Transitions Students will need to change schools
  more often with this option. (2)
• Staff development Theres a need for staff
  development. (2)
• Grant money If we choose this configuration
  option we may lose the grant money. (1)

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K-1, 2-6, 2-6 Strengths

• Fewer transitions There are no transitions
  during testing years. (6)
• Foundation-opportunity to explore choice The
  option allows students and parents to educate one
  another as preparation for the change and choices
  available in the two 2-6 schools. (5)
• Vertical articulation This option supports
  vertical articulation. (3)
• Developmentally appropriate This option allows
  for peer development across the board. (2)

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K-1, 2-6, 2-6 Strengths

• Accountability This option allows for better
  accountability. (1)
• Choice This option fills the grant requirements.
  (1)

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K-1, 2-6, 2-6 Weaknesses

• Inappropriate facilities Not all facilities are
  sufficient or developmentally appropriate for
  children. (6)
• Equity It is unclear how school parity will be
  maintained. We could end up with one good school
  and one bad school.
• Safety There are safety concerns with this
  option. What happens to monitoring of facilities,
  buses, playgrounds? (3)
• Special education It is not clear how special
  ed. students will be appropriately placed in this
  option. (2)

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K-1, 2-6, 2-6 Weaknesses

• Horizontal articulation This option will weaken
  horizontal articulation. (2)
• Curriculum Doesnt address continuity of
  curriculum. (2)
• Themes I have a concern with trying to decide
  for a child, age of 5 or 6, what theme-based
  curriculum they should have to study.
• Transportation There are issues of
  transportation monitors on the bus.
• Funding This option may risk losing the Grant
  allocation, which is fine.
• Cost This option will cost more than option one.
  (1)

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K-5, K-5, K-5, 6-8 Strengths

• Vertical articulation Theres a benefit of
  increased of vertical articulation. (4)
• Transitions Students will be in one building
  during all testing years. (3)
• Choice This option provides the most change and
  the greatest opportunity for choice. (2)

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K-5, K-5, K-5, 6-8 Weaknesses

• Safety Theres a concern of having older
  children with younger children. (12)
• Equity Major concern with this proposal
  possibly there will not be parity among the three
  schools. (6)
• Horizontal articulation This option will weaken
  horizontal articulation. (5)
• Cost This is the most costly option I dont
  believe we have enough money. (5)
• Competition This option will promote competition
  between schools. (4)

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K-5, K-5, K-5, 6-8 Weaknesses

• Facilities Doesnt seem possible that we can
  make changes to the physical structure of
  buildings in time. And at what cost? (4)
• Diversity Will the lottery really ensure that we
  are not re-segregated? (3)
• Special education The option does not ensure
  that special education students fit in. (3)
• Developmentally appropriate The whole district
  does not come together for the first time until
  sixth grade. (1)

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General questions about

• Special education (8)
• Themes (7)
• Choice (6)
• Models (5)
• Community vote on options (5)
• Rational for change (4)
• Need for staff development (4)
• Building on district strengths (2)