[RP TownTalk] Major changes to PGCPS programs proposed

[Sarah Wayland]

Last night a presentation was given at the Board of Education meeting
that outlines the closing of twelve schools in Prince George's County.

The PDF presentation can be found at:
http://www.boarddocs.com/mabe/pgcps/Board.nsf/d62d9cb847ef1cbd87257328006795e4/a8aa7b43c4e071848725753e0071d5fd/$FILE/Consolidation_Global_Final%5B1%5D%20Boundary%20Presentation.pdf

My excerpted notes on the specific recommendations are below. None of
this has an impact on our neighborhood schools, but if any of your
children are in special programs, there *is* an impact.

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Recommendation: Increase capacity & Improve offerings by separating
French Immersion & Montessori Schools
•Investigate K-12 International Language Academy Option that
integrates International Baccalaureate and places existing French
Immersion Schools into existing High Schools where there is
appropriate space and facilities.
•New Small Schools (or Small Learning Communities) serving 300 -400
students in the high school years, the majority of whom would
matriculate from the French Immersion schools
•Would offer program continuity through 12th grade
•Would provide ability to expand availability in all 4 schools without
creation of new schools.
•Would make excellent use of available space in the High Schools.
•Would minimize the potential increases in transportation costs.

Consolidations (cease operations at the end of the school year.)
•Berkshire, Concord, District Heights, G. G. Shugart, John Carroll,
John Edgar Howard, Judge Sylvania Woods, Matthew Henson, Middleton
Valley, Morningside, Oakcrest& Owens Road

Dedications:
•Benjamin Foulois will become a dedicated Replication of Creative &
Performing Arts K-8 Program of choice at Thomas Pullen.

Conversions: The following 6 schools will transition to Prek–8,
neighborhood schools:
•Andrew Jackson, Bradbury Heights, Samuel Massie, William Hall, and H.
Ferguson & E. Burroughs will become one Prek–8 school.

Program Relocations: Special Education, Talented & Gifted (TAG)

As a part of the Consolidations and grade-level configuration changes,
the following programs and locations will also be affected in the
manner cited.

Current School - Program -> Relocation Option

Benjamin Foulois - Special Education (CSEP) -> Francis S. Key
Judge Sylvania Woods - Special Education (CSEP) -> Robert Gray
Skyline Special Education - (Autism) -> Doswell Brooks
Skyline Special Education - (Hearing) -> Thomas Claggett
Oakcrest Talented & Gifted - (TAG) -> Capitol Heights
Glenarden Woods - Talented & Gifted (TAG) -> Robert Gray
Ferguson/E.E Burroughs - Talented & Gifted (TAG) -> Tag Students will
be served in their neighborhood school

Staffing Position Reductions in the following categories in each School
 - Support staff -
Principals
Assistant Principals*
Reading Specialist
Guidance Counselor
Media Specialist
Secretary
Program Coordinator*
Custodians
Building Supervisor
Food Services
 - Instructional Staff -
Classroom Teachers (1/7)
Paraprofessionals
Resource Teachers
Before & After Care