NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016

Contact the School Board: 1426 North Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia 22207 Voice: 703-228-6015 Fax: 703-228-7640 Email: school.board@apsva.us

APS School Board @APSVaSchoolBd

October 3 Open Office Hours with Nancy Van Doren 5-7 p.m.

October 6 School Board Meeting

October 10 Holiday– Columbus Day

October 11 Open Office Hours with Barbara Kanninen 8:30-10:30 a.m.

October 17 Open Office Hours with Reid Goldstein 5:30-7:30 p.m.

October 18 College and Career Night at W-L

October 20 School Board Meeting

October 24 Open Office Hours with James Lander 5:30-7:30 p.m.

October 31 Open Office Hours with Emma Violand-Sanchez 5-7 p.m.

Nancy Van Doren, Chair Barbara Kanninen, Vice Chair Reid Goldstein, Member James Lander, Member Emma Violand-Sánchez, Member Staff: Melanie Elliott, Clerk Claudia Mercado, Deputy Clerk & Newsletter Editor Julianne Jones, Assistant

The School Board approved its 2016-17 Priorities at its September 22 meeting. This year’s priorities emphasize initiatives that advance growth in academic achievement for all students and help meet the social and emotional needs of the whole child. The full version is on page 3. At the September 22 School Board meeting, Dr. Tara Nattrass, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction, provided an update on the changing Virginia graduation requirements, which were approved by the General Assembly in 2016 and called Profile of a V irginia Graduate. The Profile of a Virginia Graduate has been developed to describe the knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences students should have in order to align with the expectations of higher education and businesses. Over the next several years, our schools will be impacted by these changing graduation requirements and redesign of high schools. This redesign will include: expanding the use of performance assessments and reducing the number of credits verified by

SOL tests; increasing internships and work-based learning experiences; increasing career exposure, exploration, and planning; and emphasizing critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, communication, and citizenship. Find more details at www.apsva.us/secondary-education/aps-high-school-redesign/

APS continues to be faced with evolving state education requirements, strong enrollment growth and shifting demographics. These initiatives are complex and overlapping. The APS Action Plan charts the key initiatives and activities planned to meet our instruction and infrastructure needs for the next 3-5 years, and provides a clear picture of how families, staff and community can play an important role. Visit www.apsva.us/plans/ for additional information and to stay abreast as the plan evolves.

On Election Day, November 8, 2016, Arlington voters will be asked to approve $138,830,000 in School Bonds. These funds will be used to address growing capacity needs throughout Arlington County. Find out more about the Bond at www.apsva.us/budget-finance/cip/. 2016 Bond FAQ is on pages 4 and 5.

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Here is the schedule of the meetings:

Wed, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Washington-Lee High School Cafeteria (This meeting will be live streamed. Link will be posted on APS homepage. Rebroadcast will be available after Oct. 14. Optional school tour begins at 6:30 p.m.)

Sat, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. in the Jefferson Middle School Library

(Spanish presentation)

Mon, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Yorktown High School Cafeteria (Optional school tour begins at 6:30 p.m.)

Wed, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Wakefield High School Cafeteria

(Optional school tour begins at 6:30 p.m.) In addition, after the Boundary Tool closes, APS will host a “What We Heard” Community Meeting on Thu, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Washington-Lee cafeteria to discuss the responses received and hear final recommendations from the community.

Community Engagement

An Online Boundary Refinement Tool will be available from October 12-24 for stakeholders to submit proposals. This is one of several opportunities the community will have to provide suggestions.

APS will host a series of “Getting Started” community meetings to help inform families and community members about the process and to explain how to use the tool. The same information will be presented at each “Getting Started” meeting.

Community Feedback Comments or questions about the high school boundary refinement process can be submitted by email at apsboundaries@apsva.us or by telephone (in English and Spanish) at 703-228-6310.

For additional information, please visit www.apsva.us/APSboundaries

The School Board has begun the process to refine high school attendance boundary zones, to balance enrollment and better utilize spaces at the three comprehensive high schools. The refinements will take effect in September 2017 and apply to current eighth grade students who will be entering high school next fall, and to each freshman class in the next three school years. The Board will hear staff recommendations at its meeting on Nov. 3. Recommendations will be reviewed at a Work Session on November 9, and there will be a public hearing during the Nov. 15 School Board meeting. The final high school boundary refinement plan will be acted upon at the regular School Board meeting on Thu, Dec. 1. For additional information, please visit www.apsva.us/APSboundaries

On October 6, the School Board will act on a proposed waiver of Policy 25-2.2: Enrollment and Transfers for Schools and Programs for middle and high schools. Waiving this policy will provide an interim solution to help balance over-capacity at Gunston, Swanson and Williamsburg middle schools and Washington-Lee High School. This will provide a short-term solution to manage increased enrollment during the 2017-18 school year. The transfers are based on 120% building occupancy over a three-year period for middle schools and a four-year period for high schools, and the waiver will be reevaluated annually. During the 2017-18 school year, there will be voluntary transfers to Kenmore and Jefferson middle schools as well as Wakefield and Yorktown high schools. More details at http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/arlington/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=ADTMSE5C623F

Staff will provide a paper Boundary Tool option for those who do not want to use the online tool.

  

Adopted September 22, 2016 

    

  

TheSchoolBoardestablishesannualprioritiestoassistinkeepingitsworkfocused,effective,andalignedwithStrategic Plan goals. This year’s priorities are academic and “whole child” growth for every student, staffdevelopment,schoolcapacityexpansion,andcollaborationwithCountygovernmentonsharedinterests.

SuccessforAllStudents Initiatevisioningprocessestoaddress:

o InstructionalopportunitiesatDrewModelSchoolo Re‐designinghighschoolandnewgraduationrequirements

Reviewandrevisepolicies toaddress instruction,diversity,differentiation,admissionsandtransfers,andboundaries.

Monitorandcontinuetosupport:

o Literacy for all students, especially ensuring that APS identifies struggling readers, providestargetedinterventions,andensuresthatallstudentsarereadingongradelevelbythirdgrade

o ArlingtonTieredSystemofSupport,inclusion,interventions,andextensionsforalllearnerso Launch,development,andgrowthofArlingtonTecho Instructionalprogramfor1‐1technologyinitiative,includingdevelopmentofcontentandtoolsand

expansionofpersonalizedlearningopportunitieso FinalreportrecommendationsmadebytheWholeChildWorkingGroupo Culturallyresponsivepracticesacrossthecurriculum,includingtiestolocalhistory

StaffDevelopment

Reviewcompensation study,monitorandcontinue to supportworkforce initiative, andsupportnewapproachesforpersonalized,flexibleplanningforcareerandprofessionaldevelopment

Infrastructure&ResourcePlanning:Facilities

Ensure the following construction and planning projects proceed as planned: McKinley, Abingdon,Stratford,Wilson,newelementaryschoolat Jeffersonsite,modificationsatWakefieldandYorktown,Fenwick,Gunston, andKenmore,ArlingtonTech/CareerCenter site, newelementary school atReed,secondaryseatsatalocationTBD,andhighschoolboundaries

APS/CountyCollaboration:

Initiatea long‐termplanningprocess, incoordinationwiththeCountyBoardandconsistentwith theCommunityFacilitiesStudy,tofocusonsitesfornewelementaryandsecondaryseatsandrecreationalfields

Pilot transportationeffortsbetweenCountyandSchools, includingcoordinationofARTandAPSbussystems

Arlington School Board

Priorities for the 2016-17 School Year

On Election Day, November 8, 2016, Arlington voters will be asked whether to approve $138,830,000 in School Bonds to address growing capacity needs throughout Arlington County. More and more families are calling Arlington home. As a result of our increasing student enrollment, Arlington is planning to build more classroom space to help maintain the quality of the education that we provide.

How will the funding from the 2016 Schools Bond help to address Arlington’s growing capacity needs?This year’s school bond focuses primarily on adding a significant number of additional secondary seats throughout the county to address our growing enrollment needs. Out of the total bond of $138.8 million, 91 percent of this year’s bond ($126.4 million) has been allocated for secondary seats. The secondary projects to be financed with this bond include two major projects – the Stratford building addition and the new school at the Wilson site. In addition, two other secondary projects will be funded – a renovation at the Career Center to accommodate expansion of the new Arlington Tech program and funds for planning additional secondary seats at a site or sites to be determined. In addition, the School Board has also allocated $10 million from capital reserves to add 720 additional secondary seats within the existing spaces at four schools: 300 additional seats at Yorktown and at Wakefield, and 60 additional seats at Gunston and at Kenmore. All of these secondary projects, along with regular infrastructure projects including replacement of HVAC, roofing and other efforts to maintain our existing buildings, require a greater one-year allocation to address these needs now rather than delaying to future bonds.

NOTE: See also “How is APS working with Arlington County to address the growing enrollment and school facility capacity needs?” on the other side.

How will the School Bond funds be used?The allocation of the $138.8 million will fund the following projects:

• $26,030,000 will be used as the majority funding to build an addition at the Stratford building to add 339 seats.

• $78,400,000 will be used as the majority funding for construction of the new school at the Wilson site to add an estimated 775 seats.

• $12,000,000 will be used to renovate the Career Center/Arlington Tech to add 300 seats.

• $10,000,000 will be used for planning and design to build an additional 1,300 secondary seats [location(s) TBD].

• $12,400,000 will be used for HVAC, roofing, and other infrastructure improvement projects at existing APS buildings.

Funds are allocated to plan for 1,300 more high school seats. How can I be involved in the planning of future projects and decisions?APS is working hand-in-hand with the community to create the best learning experiences for our students. Later this fall, the School Board will unveil a 3-5 Year Action Plan that outlines a variety of initiatives to address student needs, plan instructional improvements, redesign high school experience and diploma requirements, and develop a number of capital improvement projects. The full 3-5 Year Plan, including opportunities for community participation, can be found online at www.apsva.us/plans.

2016 School Bond

/ArlingtonPublicSchools www.apsva.us/moreseats | www.apsva.us/CIP | moreseats@apsva.us @APSVirginiaSeptember 14, 2016

Artist renderings of the Stratford and Wilson projects

How do bonds work?Bonds are long-term loans that function much like the mortgage on a home. Paying for long-term investments such as school construction, with bonds spreads the cost among current and future taxpayers who will benefit from the schools.

How are bonds relevant to young professionals or seniors who do not have children enrolled in schools?Investments in strong schools and school facilities benefit everyone in Arlington County in two major ways:

1. Economic Impact A 2013 study by Dr. Michael Walden examined the economic impact of Arlington Public Schools on the community. The study noted, among other things, that Arlington’s efforts to provide optimal learning environments for students also lead to improved academic performance. He concluded that improved academic performance reflects on the quality of life in the community which actually increases local property values. (For the full report, visit www.apsva.us/2013-walden-report/)

That same study indicated that every $1 million spent on the APS capital improvement program results in 10.5 Arlington jobs, and found that maintaining excellent schools postively affects the value of homes. Funding for school operations and capital improvements affect Arlington County’s future, regardless of whether or not a homeowner currently has school-aged children enrolled in APS.

2. Community Use of APS FacilitiesAside from their use for instruction and school programs, APS facilities are used extensively by the entire Arlington community. Use by community groups accounts for more than 40,000 hours per year. Additionally, school facilities are used extensively for many hours each day for Arlington County recreation programs. As our community continues to grow, these evening and weekend needs also grow and APS welcomes the community’s use. Information about building use and forms to make a request are available online at www.apsva.us/facility-use/.

What projects have been completed with earlier bond funding?Several major projects are already underway, thanks to funding from recent school bonds approved by the Arlington community. These include:

• An addition and renovation at Abingdon Elementary adding 136 seats, to be completed in December 2017.• A new elementary school to be built at the Jefferson Middle School site adding 725 seats, to be completed in August 2019. NOTE: Arlington

County’s 2016 bond for Community Infrastructure improvements will provide funding for joint APS/County projects including $12.0 million for the structured parking at Jefferson.

• An addition at McKinley Elementary adding 241 seats, to be completed in December 2016.• Internal modifications to the existing Washington-Lee High School building that will provide 300 new seats, to be completed in April 2017.• Additional HVAC, roofing, and infrastructure improvement projects at existing buildings.

What projects are planned for future bonds?Future bonds will allocate funds to add 1,300 additional secondary seats by the fall of 2022, an additional 400-735 elementary seats by the fall of 2025, and an expansion of the Reed building to accommodate 725 students by the fall of 2021.

In addition, recognizing the need to be responsible stewards of the community’s assets, APS will continue to make regular building maintenance and improvements (HVAC, roofing and infrastructure projects) at all existing buildings on a regular schedule to ensure that these investments continue to serve the Arlington community for decades to come.

How is APS addressing the need for more seats throughout the County? While the 2016 School Bond focuses primarily on secondary seats, the FY 2017-26 CIP provides a 10-year approach to address capacity needs at all levels – elementary, middle and high school. In addition to the projects mentioned above, modifications are also planned at several APS schools to utilize space more efficiently and expand the capacity of existing facilities.

How is APS working with Arlington County to address the growing enrollment and school facility capacity needs?Working together with the County Board and staff, both Boards agreed to a funding plan in which the County will share its comprehensive debt capacity load with APS in years where the APS bond funding need is greater. As a result, the schools capital funding plan in the CIP gives APS the financial capacity to complete the planned capital projects when they are needed and within the County’s overall ten-year debt capacity without exceeding the overall 10 percent debt ratio over the next ten years. We will continue to work closely with Arlington County to collaborate and identify solutions to address our growing enrollment.

Where can I find more information about the 2016 School Bond and APS Capital Improvement Plan?Information on the 2016 school bond and all of the projects planned in the 2017-26 APS Capital Improvement Plan is available online at: www.apsva.us/CIP/

2016 School Bond

/ArlingtonPublicSchools www.apsva.us/moreseats | www.apsva.us/CIP | moreseats@apsva.us @APSVirginia