How did the consulting firm choose schools to potentially close?
It's not “a” reason, it's multiple reasons looked at analytically by consultant RSP. They needed to look at efficiencies and they needed to look at physical aspects of those buildings.
What happens next?
We'll look at focus group feedback and community feedback and present that to the consultant, RSP. They'll come back in December with changes and will look at secondary schools.
Why is the district changing what it said to voters in the 2008 bond issue? Part of it is life, changes in the economy have changed our demographics. where we're seeing students currently, where growth occurred and isn't occurring.
It is possible the recommended schools won’t close?
Ultimately we may close five schools, we may close four schools, or we may close none.
Could the proposed changes lead to increased class size?
It shouldn't drive up class size, the intent would not be to eliminate the pupil to teacher ratio. It's going to shift where we're providing educational services.
Are you concerned about the shift away from neighborhood schools and what that means for transportation costs?
I don't know what it would do to transportation costs at this time.
Did the district see the maps before the focus group? None of us saw this before last night. I still have questions I need consultant RSP to clarify.
What did you think of the feedback from the community?
The feedback from last night I thought was well reasoned. They weren’t shying away from major issues.
Did RSP (the consulting firm) visit the school recommended for closure?
That's not their role. They look at what was provided as part of our assessments.
Are the planned K-8 schools still planned to be used as K-8’s?
That's one of those areas we're trying to clarify because the discussion was strictly around elementary schools. How did RSP decide to put Mueller on the closure list?
Mueller is one of those with some site issues and you can't change the site. If you do improvements to Mueller you're going to be stuck with the same issues.
Has bond work been done on any of the schools on the closure list?
In the current bond they are all on pause and study.
When RSP talks about expanding some schools, does that mean adding on or will the district use existing space?
It could be a combination of both. We’ve got some buildings that are not using 100% of their classroom space. In others it will take a physical addition.
What will happen to the districts magnet programs in the schools on the closure list?
It's to be determined. Could they be moved to other schools? Yes.
What happens to staff at schools on the closure list?
It's impossible to say how it’s going to shake out. For folks to be worried about jobs, it's way too early.
Will “grandfathering” be allowed? That will be discussed toward the latter part of the process. There's a difference between elementary, middle and high school. Grandfathering always becomes a high school issue.
Could the February timeline for a final vote change?
The target is that time frame. Moving the time frame back would have huge ripple effects for us.
What about school finance? Will that affect the boundaries?
That’s the big gorilla. We may get to February and make our timeline and have a plan put together and we may be completely blown up by what happens in Topeka in April.
How do you feel about school closures?
It's not what you want to talk about. For me where I want to spend time is around instruction.
