Resolution

Resolution

Board of Education Decision on District Recommendation

Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools

WHEREAS, in its adopted Ends statements, the Board of Education of Jefferson County School District R-1 (“Jeffco Public Schools”) set forth the belief that Jeffco students need and deserve robust academic, enrichment, and social-emotional programs that challenge them to grow and that prepare them for college, for careers, and for community life. The board prioritizes thriving educational experiences for students as its primary focus. The board achieves this commitment through system-wide accountability to make budget and policy decisions that are aligned with the Board’s ends; and1

WHEREAS, the population of school-aged children in Jefferson County has steadily declined, and although the district has capacity to serve approximately 96,000 students in district-managed schools, it currently serves approximately 69,000 with approximately 40 percent of that excess capacity existing at the elementary school level; and

WHEREAS, the Jeffco Board of Education recognizes that persistent, declining enrollment necessitates the closure and consolidation of district-managed schools to ensure exceptional educational experiences for students and to effectively steward public funds to meet district priorities; and

WHEREAS, on April 7, 2022, after the emergency spring closure of two elementary schools in 2 consecutive years, the Jeffco Board of Education voted unanimously2 to direct the Superintendent to prepare a multi-phase consolidation plan to ensure thriving schools and extraordinary student experiences across the district; and

WHEREAS, as of May 2022, 49 of the District’s elementary schools had student populations of under 250 pupils and/or a building utilization of 60% or less, resulting in significant inequities in the per pupil funding provided to district elementary schools; and

WHEREAS, on August 25, 2022 District staff recommended the closure of 16 elementary schools in 12 articulation areas. (That recommendation may be found here.3) The recommendations include the designation of a proposed “receiving school (or schools)” for the neighborhood students attending any school designated for closure and also specified new locations for affected center-based special education programs; and 

WHEREAS, the Jeffco Board of Education values the perspectives and lived experiences of community members and families and listens to those community priorities to inform Board decision making; and

WHEREAS, the Jeffco Board of Education engaged in listening sessions through 32 school-based community conversations and heard 16 hours of public comment specific to the 16 schools identified for closure as part of Regional Opportunities for Thriving Schools; and

WHEREAS, the Jeffco Board of Education recognizes the impacts of school closures and consolidations on communities while also recognizing the resource barriers to providing thriving educational experiences for all Jeffco students; and

WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the District’s students and families to have robustly and equitably resourced school programs through the consolidation of smaller elementary schools to create more sustainable elementary schools.

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1 THAT:

1.  The board will approve and adopt the recommendations of August 25, 2022 as follows:

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Emory Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Lasley Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Peck Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Secrest Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Thomson Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Swanson Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Campbell Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of the current Fremont Elementary School attendance area north of W 64th Ave, and the current Campbell Elementary School attendance area with that of the current Vanderhoof Elementary School boundary south of W 64th Ave.

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Peiffer Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Kendallvue Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Colorow Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Powderhorn Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Green Mountain Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Foothills Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Molholm Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Lumberg Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Glennon Heights Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Belmar Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Parr Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Little Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Sheridan Green Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Ryan Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Witt Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Lukas Elementary School; 

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, New Classical Academy at Vivian will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Stober Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Wilmore-Davis Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Stevens Elementary School;

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, Kullerstrand Elementary School will close and combine its existing attendance area with that of Prospect Valley Elementary School; 

  1. Effective July 1, 2023, the former Fitzmorris Elementary School attendance area will be combined with that of Lawrence Elementary School; 

  1. Effective July 1, 2023,  the former Allendale Elementary School attendance area will be combined with that of Vanderhoof Elementary School; and

  1. Effective July 1, 2024, Bergen Meadow K-2 will close and the grade configuration of Bergen Valley will be converted to a PK-5.

2.  The Superintendent and her staff are to adjust boundary maps and choice-attendance materials to align with the closures and consolidations referenced above.

 3.  The Superintendent and her staff have clear direction from the Board to take the steps necessary to ensure that the staff, students, and families in the affected schools are assisted in transitioning to other schools and other positions in accordance with District policy, negotiated agreements, state law, and as follows:

  1. Present to the Board a comprehensive transition plan, including all necessary programmatic and staff supports, for Jeffco students included in center-based special education programs and other specialty programs that will be relocated as a result of a school closure;
  2. Provide to the Board an evidence-based plan for Title I and at-risk funding allocation in support of FRL-eligible students across the district;
  3. Maintain class sizes within the grade parameters outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Jefferson County Educators Association;
  4. Identify preschool options based on an articulated strategy for district-wide preschool as part of students’ PK-12 educational experience;
  5. Determine transportation needs and implement adjustments as needed to ensure all eligible students have access to bus routes as required by school or district boundary changes and Board policy. Additionally, work with municipal leaders to identify areas of opportunity for increased safety mitigation around district-managed school sites;
  6. Develop and implement a process for  engagement with FCB committee members and school leadership representing all impacted elementary schools to identify process changes and improvements for any future closures and consolidations of schools;
  7. Provide to the Board a plan to assist parents and guardians of affected students with priority enrollment options and to help identify and secure ongoing student and family support services, including translation services, as needed;
  8. Engage with a diverse group of stakeholders, including community members, families, students, elected officials, municipal representatives, businesses, and nonprofits to gather input on strategies and funding priorities to strengthen pathways PK-12; and 
  9. Commit to an engagement process that includes community partners, area residents, elected officials, municipal representatives, businesses, and nonprofits that provides recommendations to the Board regarding the disposition of un- or under-utilized buildings that are the property of Jeffco Public Schools.

ADOPTED this ____ day of November, 2022.

JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT R-1

_______________________________________

Stephanie Schooley

President, Board of Education




Attest:

_________________________

Paula Reed

Secretary, Board of Education

 

 

1. http://go.boarddocs.com/co/jeffco/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CJ4JJE4CBDF7

2. http://go.boarddocs.com/co/jeffco/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CCYTDH76DEAA

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