March 22, 2010 (tonight)
Information Session RE: Fifth Avenue, 6 pm. Glennwood

The process will never be perfect. Communication can always be better. But it works in Decatur. It is worth being involved, and the outcomes are better for it.

I would like to thank the BoE and Dr. Edwards for listening. And specifically John Ahmann and Dr. Edwards for their involvement in bringing about a face to face meeting between the architects, central office staff, and our community members who petitioned for so many of the changes which have been incorporated. And last but not least, thanks to those community members for pooling their expertise, organization, communication skills, and support.

The plan provides 22 regular classrooms, dedicated rooms for science and art, and 4 pullout rooms which can be converted into 2 additional classrooms. Though it only has 600 lockers, it could support a maximum of 26 classrooms and 650 students at 25 students/classroom. It will really shine when enrollments are 550 or less. It also has space planned in for a future addition if necessary.

I think they’ve done about the best they currently can to maximize green space. I hope CSD will make a long term commitment to continue purchasing lots adjacent to the new 4/5 Academy.

My lingering concerns would be classroom size, sinks in classrooms, maximizing outdoor play space, and the maximum capacity of the multipurpose room.

Trying to answer Karass’ concerns about enrollments…

If we’re at 550 enrollments between kindergarten and 1st grade, then we have some of the highest enrollments seen in the last 25 years. Historically, we tend to gain enrollments at traditional transition points: 1st, 6th, and 9th grades. But overall, we lose enrollments between kindergarten and 12th grade. From 1986-2008, we had mean and median decline in enrollments between Kindergarten and 12th grade of around 24-25%. Our highest K-1 enrollments since 1986 were 580 in 1996. In 2001, this cohort became 425 4th and 5th graders. And in 2007, 380 11th and 12th graders.

So if recent history repeats itself, the kindergarten and 1rst grade classes we have today will not overcrowd our new 4/5 Academy tomorrow. However, our current growth appears to be different from the last bubble, in that we’re seeing enrollment growth across the board in all grades. So I don’t place as much confidence on the traditional decline in enrollments from kindergarten to 12th grade during the current economic environment. All that said, the current 4/5 plans should work.

Our K-3 capacity will be tight. Even with Glennwood, we are probably about 10-12 classrooms short of where it would need to be to balance the planned capacity for 5th Ave, RMS, and DHS.

My best guess is, that as long as the current economic malaise continues, our schools will continue to fill up to capacity. Which is both an opportunity and a challenge.