Evanston/Skokie CC School District 65 New School Referendum ...

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that the population of Evanston overall was essentially unchanged in the ten years since the last 2000 census.” In response to this inquiry, there are two replies: ● Student numbers and eligible busing numbers in the 5 th ward, and census data showing the growth of the Evanston population from 2000-2009 by age. Mr. Brinson distributed the attached charts (see Attachment #1) at the meeting, which showed: (a) the elementary attendance area map for the 5 th Ward, (b) the number of students by 5 th Ward area (noted as #1 Core Area, #2 West & South of Evanston Township High School, “3 known as Willard Island, & 4 East of Green Bay Road), (c) the number of students enrolled from that area and their ethnicity, and (d) the total number of students eligible for busing. It was highlighted that there are 716 District 65 students, K-8, in areas #1 & #3 alone -- all of whom are enrolled in schools outside their geographic neighborhood -- and an additional 129 students in area #4, exclusive of the children enrolled at Park School or in pre-school at JEH. Adding the students at Park School and in the preschool programs at JEH, there are a total of 1164 students in areas #1, #3, & #4. Another way to interpret the numbers is that slightly less than 30% of all students eligible for busing in District 65 live in areas #1, #3, and #4, affecting perhaps as many as 700 families. It was further highlighted that the 2000-2009 census data from the American Community Service (ACS), shows a significant increase in children ages 1-5 (+1,500) which tracks the District 65/Kasarda data. ● Mr. Summers reply to Mr. Stover’s inquiry about the busing and census data. Mr. Summers read the first two sentences of his response, and requested that his full reply be entered into the minutes. “ From my perspective, what is important in the ‘600 bussed out’ number is not the exact figure which fluctuates from year to year and decade to decade. What is important is that Every- Single-Child with a minimum of 400-600 children each and every year are bussed out, walked out, permissive transferred out, or otherwise removed from their Fifth Ward home and each other, for over forty years.” (The full text of the conversation between Mr. Summers and Mr. Stover appears as Attachment #2.) Discussion of the 5 th Ward area of concern. The Committee adopted the term, “5 th Ward, Central Core,” bounded by McCormick, Green Bay, and Church Street as the area of concern. This area roughly aligns with the attendance boundaries of the old Foster School. Discussion followed regarding the culture of the 5 th Ward in the Central Core that evolved prior to the 1970s when the students in the neighborhood went to Foster School and the Emerson Street Y was a gathering place. However, the point was made that those who now reside in that neighborhood, and are 2
in their 40s or younger, have not had the advantage of the same culture since the children now go to multiple schools. #2. Committee discussion for final agreement on Space Projections and Next Steps. A memo summarizing the data from the School Resources Analysis Report distributed to the meeting on March 14 th was discussed by the Committee. The data, “Information for the New School Committee, 4/7/11,” was provided to the Committee prior to the meeting, is on the District 65 website, and is attached to the minutes (Attachment #3). Mr. Brinson noted that the data, showing the Kasarda projections through 2019-20, were adjusted to reflect actual 2010-11 enrollment which was higher by 120 students than expected. Ms. Woods then shared a handout with the committee (see Attachment #3) that framed four questions: ●Does the Committee accept that the student enrollment projections through 2019 based on Kasarda as sufficiently reliable to make a specific recommendation for additional space/classrooms to be constructed ●Does “some” space needed for District 65 over the next 5-10 years mean that the Committee agrees District 65 will need 20-27 new classrooms + the addition to Lincoln School by 2015 as the projections suggest ●Does the Committee accept each of the assumptions 1 or are there specific ones that need to be discussed Previously, the Committee also voted to add the assumption that, “It is important in District 65 for students to go to school with their neighbors.” Vote: Following discussion, the Committee voted unanimously to reaffirm that, “District 65 needs additional space at both the elementary and middle schools based on the assumptions.” Mr. Summers then noted that the Committee should consider not just space, but what kind of education District 65 should provide for students, and the implications of this education in determining future space needs. 1 • No classrooms less than 600 square feet at elementary level schools • Elementary classroom enrollments average 20 students • Middle school classroom enrollments average 25 students • Art has a dedicated room (at each school) • 80% of capacity is not exceeded • Target classroom square foot allowance is 32 square feet per child • Special education, TWI and language programs remain at their current schools • Full sized classrooms dedicated to a convenience purpose (e.g. childcare, teacher lounge, etc.) are repurposed as general education classrooms • In addition, it was tacitly assumed that the magnet schools remain as magnet schools with the same configuration. 3
Page 1: Evanston/Skokie CC School District
Page 5 and 6: Attachments #1. District 65 Informa
Page 7 and 8: Elementary Attendance Area Map with
Page 9: Enrollment Information for Students
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Evanston/Skokie CC School District 65 New School Referendum ...

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