Conversations About Regionalization - Part 3

Discussions took place in late fall of 2013 with Newport representatives who believed that the Newport Council was 100% behind the initiative in Middletown.

As in previous conversations in other communities, it was agreed the program needs to be “outstanding.” There was discussion about educating 100% of the students and the decreasing middle class.  Lacking options, students without college aspirations simply “do their time” and leave without skills to become a drain on the economy, perpetuating an under class.

It is likely that the tuitioning towns – Jamestown and Little Compton – would only jump ship for an outstanding program.

There was some discussion of funding; it was suggested that the sale of Rogers High School could ease the city’s bonding obligation

Frustration was expressed over discussions that had previously taken place at the SC level but had gone nowhere, but it was agreed that dialogue and planning taking place at the municipal level was more likely to bring results

There continues to be consistent agreement about the following:

1.      The top priority is an outstanding program that meets the needs of 100% of the students.

2.      It is actually possible to provide outstanding special education services within a reasonable budget.

3.      There are financial benefits to be gained by a single facility and greater efficiency.

4.      There is agreement that equitable representation is a basic priority.

Conversations About Regionalization - Part 2

Our activities continued in the Fall of 2013:

1.      Discussion was conducted with a member of the Middletown School Committee relating to Portsmouth’s efforts to create a STEAM Charter School or integrate such an academy at Portsmouth High School. It was suggested that this might be an effort to filter high ability level students to Portsmouth.  It was also agreed that Portsmouth’s efforts probably lessened the probability of their joining the Newport County consolidated high school efforts; at the same time, it was agreed that the development of a program that served 100% of the students at a consolidated high school with a critical mass would level the playing field and ensure the viability of two outstanding high schools in the region.

2.      An offer was extended to solicit grants to support the necessary public communication at the proper time.

3.      At  a meeting with a representative from RIDE, there was discussion about the challenges ahead. It was stated that the Commissioner was an advocate of regionalization but recognized that developing Charter schools was an easier prospect; nevertheless RIDE would strongly support the initiative. Mention was made of financial incentives as well as answers to questions and information about funding data related to RI regional and tuitioning districts if requested.

4.      There was discussion of regionalization discussions going back 20 years and it was felt then that it would not happen until “our backs were up against the wall,” almost to where we are now.

5.      Discussion centered around recent meetings and the challenge of engaging other districts. It was suggested that, assuming favorable legislation could be passed related to governance and funding, consolidating with Newport would be a good start. Facilities plans could include potential expansion.  It was agreed that the academic program, however, would have to be exemplary and serve 100% of the students. 

6.      On Thursday, August 22, a team of two TC and one SC visited Wachusett, the largest  of many regional districts in MA; it has the 2^nd lowest per pupil cost. We first reviewed governance and funding; then we toured the high school, which serves 2100 students.  The high school was regionalized in the early 1950’s; a new facility was completed in 2008.

7.      The facility supports a rigorous program that serves 100% of the students in a program that starts with the assumption that all the students will further their education while it provides multiple skills and options for those who cannot afford to go or do not want to. 

8.      The biggest takeaway was something the high school principal said in comparing large schools to smaller ones:   “Program and rigor make the difference. Your students are competing with the students at Wachusett for college acceptance.”  It follows that they are also competing for jobs with students who are entering the workforce with skills.

9.      In a discussion of special education it was said that parents from out of the district sent students to Wachusett through school choice because of its reputation for serving special education students well; an example was a family that had moved nearer to the district to make transportation easier. The principal said he could have a classroom of 8 autistic or developmentally delayed students with 2 teachers and 8 one-on-one aides.

10.  WRHS serves Life Skills students, and an Alternative Education class; 582 students are scheduled for “Academic Skills remediation” in 80 sections (students may be scheduled in more than one section.) 

11.  Students can opt for full time placement in a regional vocational school by application in Grade 8.

12.  While a meeting with Tiverton reps has not yet been scheduled, the Tiverton Town Council forwarded the Middletown Resolution to its SC “for further study.”

13.  We have been informed that interest has been expressed by a local foundation in supporting our efforts.

14.  A meeting took place with 2 TC reps and a SC rep in Little Compton.  Like in Jamestown, they are satisfied with their current arrangement – both financial and programmatic; however, they indicated that they would be willing to participate with a Consolidated High School Planning Committee.

There continues to be consistent agreement about the following:

1.      Students in smaller schools do not have the educational opportunities that make them competitive with those who have had broader educational experience.

2.      Only consolidation into one building can offer the benefits of a larger critical mass.

3.      The top priority is an outstanding program.

4.      Just as important are the financial benefits to be gained by a single facility and greater efficiency.

5.      It is actually possible to provide outstanding special education services within a reasonable budget.

6.      Equitable representation was universally supported as a basic priority.

Conversations About Regionalization - Part 1

Soon after the Middletown Town Council authorized the Town Administrator to develop a statistical model of a regional high school, Councilman Adams and I began to meet with groups and individuals on an informal basis to “take the temperature” of Newport County. 

We met with representatives from various constituencies with the simple goal of sharing ideas and the following results: 

1.      Following discussion with a councilor from Newport, the Newport Council passed a resolution supporting Middletown’s authorization for the development of a model.

2.      A member of the Portsmouth Town Council was personally supportive but not promising regarding the town’s participation.  Suggestions included developing a PAC as well as engaging parent and/or citizen groups.

3.      We next met with a Portsmouth resident who represents the RI Superintendent’s Association. Unfortunately, the proposed options benefitted only Portsmouth.

4.      A Middletown SC member provided a list of civic organizations for future communication.

5.      Prominent Middletown residents volunteered to help support consolidation if it went forward.  It was observed that Middletown used to be the school leader of the island, but Portsmouth had now assumed that role. Conclusion?  People move to the town that they think have the best schools.

6.      Jamestown representatives said that their schools had been solicited by Narragansett, Newport, and Portsmouth; it tuitions students to NK, primarily because of its program.  Only an outstanding program would make them leave NK. 

7.      It was agreed that test scores have little value as an assessment of the quality of a district; the measure is in the programs provided.

8.      It was agreed that budgetary savings would result from combining physical plant, operating expenses, and administration; an outstanding program would require reorganization of teaching staff due to expanded programming, not reductions.

9.      Jamestown also raised the issue of the perceptions of higher value of Portsmouth’s schools over Middletown’s. 

10.  Prospective efforts at the state level as well as the fiscal impact of the proposal were discussed with a state senator. It was agreed that there would be initial capital costs – much the same as corporate investment in capital to achieve long term savings. The greatest savings would be realized in the implementation stage with consolidation of facilities as well as the reduction of operating expenses (maintenance and custodial services, utilities, combination of services, etc.)

11.  Proposing new legislation more acceptable to the unique partnerships was recommended.  Suggested was a focus on the “why” in order to build consensus that supports the need as well as the financial implications and programming.

12.  A representative of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce expressed support for a program that would increase the meaningful hands-on experiences of high school graduates, thereby expanding the local skilled workforce.  The Chamber will act as a fiscal agent for grants and other funds to be used to market the concept once a firm plan is developed.

In conclusion there was general agreement about the following:

1.      The region’s small high schools are not sustainable – as funding diminishes, so does academic programming.

2.      Consolidation into one building would have the best result; if high schools are combined and merely reproduce what is already in place, there would be no educational benefit.

3.      A regionalized building would require initial capital investment with primary cost savings to be gained from the operation and maintenance of a single facility.

4.      Funding issues have to be transparent and focused on efficiency.

5.      Other districts might join if an outstanding program promises both post-secondary school and high school graduate job success by servicing 100% of the students,

6.      New legislation could alleviate issues related to governance and funding.

School Regionalization – Restarting the Movement

I started this blog more than 4 years ago, in February 2010. My main purpose was to advocate for school regionalization.  If the reader is interested in the reasons Newport Country schools should regionalize, they are the same and the articles are still available on this blog. But now I need to bring the reader up to date.

In July 2013, Councilman Richard Adams and I renewed the effort to provide better educational opportunities to the students of Newport County, particularly at the high school level. 

Enrollments have dropped dramatically since 1990 and the country has recently been in a recession; as a result, school districts are not able to offer the same opportunities to students as they had to their parents. Reduced budgets and declining enrollments have meant fewer teachers and fewer high school courses while, at the same time,  RIDE is demanding higher standards. School districts are nearing the breaking point.  

But timing is everything. The community wasn’t ready in 2010. We think it is finally ready now to see that, to serve our high school students well, we have to put aside our emotional attachments to past glories and accept the need for change.

Tomorrow I’ll tell you what we did to re-start the discussion.