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?