AGENDA• 6:00 p.m. – Introductions• 6:05 p.m. – Randy Everett, Founder• 6:20 p.m. – Where we’ve been• 6:45 p.m. – Where we’re going• 7:00 p.m. – Tableside discussions• 8:00 p.m. – Adjourn

Agenda

DISCLAIMER # 1

The number one goal in these expansion discussions:

The protection of Liberty Common School

DISCLAIMER # 2

The Board of Directors and school administration have taken no

position regarding the expansion of this school

Expansion? Liberty Common School has been

expanding since its inception• Washington Core Knowledge• Opening of Liberty Common Primary grades• Addition of the upper school• ARTIOS addition• Addition of the track and field• High school?

Who we are Liberty Common School, an authorized

charter school in the Poudre School District• A John J. Irwin School of Excellence• National NCLB Blue Ribbon School• National Charter School of the Year• Official Core Knowledge Visitation site• Top 1-5% CSAP scores in the state• Financially strong, academically accountable

Where we’ve been

1997 – Opened Liberty Common School 2002 – High School expansion effort 2007 – PSD announced middle school shift 2007 – 9th-grade enrollment concerns

spur the Board to contemplate options

Spring 2008 – Opened discussions with PSD regarding expansion

Where we’ve been

Summer 2008 – Dialogue with PSD• Charter school relations committee -

Positive• Correspondence with PSD - Positive• Board discussions, 2 committees formed

Site visits, financial modeling, curriculum discussions, school culture, community

• School-wide survey (Spring 2008)

School-wide survey results

Given the school district’s grade reconfiguration, if you had to decide today, would your child attend 9th grade at Liberty or 9th grade at PSD?

• Liberty = 81• PSD = 14• Unsure = 3

School-wide survey results

Are you generally in favor of adding an additional track of K-8 or K-9 to the existing facility on the current site?

• Yes = 55• No = 30• Unsure = 9

School-wide survey results

Are you generally in favor of a Liberty Common High School offering, 9th-12th grade?

• Yes = 86• No = 9• Unsure = 2

School-wide survey results

If Liberty Common offered a high school, how important would the location of the campus be in your decision to attend?

• Low importance = 43• Neutral = 39• High importance = 16

School-wide survey results

How much importance* would you place on having the following regarding high school programs and culture?

• 4.39 = Spanish • 4.09 = Technology/drafting/engineering• 4.00 = Business/marketing/management• 3.93 = Sports• 3.90 = Drama/art• 3.85 = Band• 3.77 = Dress code(*as a mean from 1-5)

School-wide survey results

If Liberty Common offered a high school, what types of curricula or classes would be most important to you?

• AP course selections• Math/science focus• Classics/Classical liberal

Where we’ve been

As a charter school, we operate under a contract with PSD

An expansion requires an amendment to the contract

On March 31, 2008 we requested approval for expansion:“To that end, Liberty Common School is formally

seeking to modify our Charter/Contract to allow for an increase in the size of our school, from two tracks of K-9 to four tracks of K-9, and the addition of high school grades 10-12.”

Where we’ve been

PSD responded with the following concerns (May 20, 2008):• Accessibility • Contract issues• Traffic mitigation• Financial considerations for the 2010 bond

issue• “Chairman Horton, the Poudre School District Board of

Education is prepared to move forward with approval of your request, with the considerations outlined above.”

Where we’ve been

We responded by proposing an amendment which would include (June 19, 2008):

• An updated mission statement regarding grades 10-12

• Goals, objectives and pupil performance standards• Evidence of adequate support from community• A description of the 10-12 programs• Pupil performance standards and evaluation• Financial plans• Enrollment policies• Impact to PSD schools

Where we’ve been

September 2008• PSD School Board President Larry Neal agreed

to accept an amendment proposal as outlined by Liberty Common School

• Assured a 60-day negotiation upon receipt

Where we’re going

A vision for growth

Where we’re going

August 2010

Liberty Common School

Elementary

Kindergarten through 6th grade

Add third track starting with K-3

Liberty Common School

Junior/Senior High School

Near Current school

Grades 7-10

Where we’re going

August 2011 – August 2013

Liberty Common School

Junior/Senior High School

Near current school

Grades 7-12

Liberty Common School

Elementary

3 track K-6

210 additional students

Where we’re going

Elementary school considerations 3 track K-6 school Move grades 5-6 upstairs Remodel some classrooms to support new

configuration Hire additional staff to support third track Build addition to support final growth model

Where we’re going

High school considerationsSmall school approachMath/Science magnetAP courses/college prepCharacter/moral developmentCombined campusShared facilities and staffSports offerings (boys and girls):

• Soccer, track and field, basketball, volleyball

Where we’re going

Next steps• Rewrite 2002 amendment to PSD• Negotiate amendment with PSD• Issue returns to Liberty Common School for

final approval• Open Colorado’s finest high school

Where we’re going

What can I do?• Support charter schools• Educate yourself• Tell one friend about expansion• Tell all of your friends about expansion• Commit to some level of involvement• Lobby PSD Board, Liberty Board and Liberty

parents

Where we’re going

What can I do?• Small group/committee work

• General administrative support• Budget• Curriculum/Scheduling• Moral/character development• Facilities• Staffing/enrollment• CHSAA, sports

Questions?