The Arlington School Board convened on Monday, June 16, 2014, at 7:30 PM at 1426 North Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia. 1

Transcription

1 ARLINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS School Board Meeting June 16, 2014 Item C-1-f The Arlington School Board convened on Monday, June 16, 2014, at 7:30 PM at 1426 North Quincy Street, Arlington, Virginia. 1 Present were: Abby Raphael, Chair James S. Lander, Vice Chair Sally M. Baird, Member Noah Simon, Member Emma Violand-Sánchez, Member Melanie Elliott, Clerk Also present were: Dr. Patrick K. Murphy, Superintendent John Chadwick, Assistant Superintendent, Facilities and Operations Linda Erdos, Assistant Superintendent, School and Community Relations Deirdra McLaughlin, Assistant Superintendent, Finance and Management Connie Skelton, Assistant Superintendent, Instruction A. Meeting Opening 1. Call To Order B. CONSENT ITEMS: (7:30 PM) Ms. Baird moved for adoption of the consent agenda, seconded by Mr. Simon. The motion was adopted in a vote of 5 0, with Ms. Baird, Mr. Lander, Ms. Raphael, Mr. Simon and Dr. Violand-Sánchez voting affirmatively. The following items or actions were approved as a part of consent: 1. Appointments to Western Rosslyn Area Planning Study Working Group 2. Appointment to the Out of School Time Advisory Council 3. Appointment of School Board Designee to George Mason University Arlington Campus Advisory Board C. ACTION ITEM: (7:31 PM) 1. FY FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan 1 Video clips of regular School Board meetings can be viewed on the APS Web site at the following link: DVDs of all regular School Board meetings are also available for viewing in the School Board office. Arlington School Board minutes - Page 1 of 12 - June 16, 2014

2 Mr. Chadwick presented the proposed FY 2015-FY 2024 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), outlining the CIP decision-making process and timeline. Highlighting the extensive community engagement that has taken place, Mr. Chadwick confirmed that 49 meetings were held and over 3,500 individual communications received. After reviewing Board direction for the CIP, Mr. Chadwick summarized the Superintendent s proposal which was presented in May, noting that it included financial analysis for providing seats when needed, and for providing needed seats while staying within bonding capacity. Mr. Chadwick then presented the School Board s proposed Capital Improvement Plan, noting changes that have been incorporated into the Superintendent s proposal in response to community feedback and Board discussion. He also explained that the Board s proposed CIP includes preferred and alternate plans for elementary and middle school seats, and will include community processes for the sites being considered. Ms. Peterson then briefly reviewed the financial analysis of the Board s proposed CIP. Ms. Baird made the following motion: Every two years, the School Board adopts a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), planning for capital needs for the next ten years. This approach to capital planning anticipates needs for the next decade, while providing flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances. During the development of the FY2015-FY2024 CIP, the School Board focused on the need to provide seats for students in the areas of most critical need, in light of the continued, sustained growth in student enrollment. That enrollment growth, and the process that began in the summer of 2013 and culminates in this CIP, is detailed in a report to be completed by June 20, 2014 and to be included as Attachment B to this motion. After a robust community engagement process, the School Board concluded that to meet its Strategic Plan goal of providing optimal learning environments, and focusing on the areas of most critical need, capital improvements for this CIP would focus on elementary seats in the southern part of the County, middle school seats in the northern part of the County, high school seats later in the ten-year planning horizon, and continued investment in maintenance of our facilities. The School Board recognizes that identifying the funding needed for the 2014 bond to begin work on the areas of most critical need is its first priority in this CIP. The School Board further recognizes that additional community input, and further collaboration with the Arlington County Board and Arlington County Government staff, is needed to make a final determination for some capital improvements in this CIP. Consistent with these goals, I move that the School Board adopt the FY2015- FY2024 Capital Improvement Plan summarized on Attachment A, as follows: ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAPACITY Arlington School Board minutes - Page 2 of 12 - June 16, 2014

3 Addition and Renovation at Abingdon Elementary School Estimated Additional Seats: 136 Projected Completion: start of school, September 2017 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $28,750, Bond Funding: $28,750,000 New Elementary School Jefferson Site Preferred Estimated Additional Seats: 725 Projected Completion: start of school, September 2018 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $50,250, Bond Funding: $50,250,000 Joint process between Arlington Public Schools (APS) and Arlington County Government (ACG) to be developed to make a final determination by January 31, 2015 regarding locating the new elementary school at the Jefferson site. This process will include all stakeholders. If the Jefferson site is selected, a process to determine if the new elementary school will be a neighborhood school or a choice program school will commence. This determination will be made by April 30, 2015 and will include all stakeholders. Alternative Elementary School Plan Additions at Two Arlington Elementary Schools in the Southern Part of the County If it is determined that a new elementary school will not be located at the Jefferson site, then two elementary schools will be selected for renovations/additions to add elementary school seats. Estimated Additional Seats: at each school ( total) Projected Completion: To be determined Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $54,100, Bond Funding: $50,250,000 Process to identify the two school sites to be developed. This process will commence in sufficient time so that the Alternative Elementary School Plan can be considered during the process to make a final determination about the Jefferson site. McKinley Elementary School Addition/Renovation Estimated Additional Seats: 241 Projected Completion: start of school, September 2016 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $20,100, Bond Funding: $7,470,000 (Project funding also includes $12.0 million from the 2012 bond and a total of $633,500 from FY2015 and FY2016 Minor Construction/Major Maintenance funding.) SECONDARY SCHOOL CAPACITY Arlington School Board minutes - Page 3 of 12 - June 16, 2014

4 Secondary Seats Location or Locations to be Determined in the Northern Part of the County Estimated Additional Seats: 1,300 Projected Completion: start of school, September 2019 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $126,000,000 (includes $5 million of current revenue for planning and design) 2014 Bond Funding: $4,000,000 (planning and design only) Process to determine the location or locations of these seats to be developed, to include all stakeholders, and to conclude by December 31, Secondary Seats Washington-Lee High School Estimated Additional Seats: 300 Projected Completion Date: start of school, September 2016 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $5,000, Bond Funding: $5,000,000 Secondary Seats Arlington Career Center Estimated Additional Seats: 1,300 Projected Completion Date: scheduled in three phases, for start of school, September 2020, 2021 and 2022 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $153,400, Bond Funding: $0 Process to explore the vision and program for the Career Center to be determined, to include all stakeholders, and to build on community and staff work already begun. MINOR CONSTRUCTION /MAJOR MAINTENANCE Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $70,110,000 over the 10 years of the CIP 2014 Bond Funding: $10,310,000 The motion was seconded by Mr. Simon. Mr. Lander made a motion to amend the motion to remove the Preferred from the Jefferson site, seconded by Dr. Violand-Sánchez. Briefly highlighting the changes he is proposing, Mr. Lander made the following alternate motion: Every two years, the School Board adopts a Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), planning for capital needs for the next ten years. This approach to capital planning anticipates needs for the next decade, while providing flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances. During the development of the FY2015-FY2024 CIP, the School Board focused on the need to provide seats for students in the areas of most critical need, in light of the continued growth in student enrollment. That enrollment growth, and the Arlington School Board minutes - Page 4 of 12 - June 16, 2014

5 process that began in the summer of 2013 and culminates in this CIP, is detailed in a report to be completed by June 20, 2014 and to be included as Attachment A to this motion. Beginning with, and continuing a robust community engagement process, the School Board concludes that to meet its Strategic Plan goal of providing optimal learning environments, and focusing on the areas of most critical need, capital improvements for this CIP would focus on elementary seats in the southern part of the County and middle school seats in the northern part of the County as soon as possible, and high school seats later in the ten-year planning horizon, and continued investment in maintenance of our facilities. The School Board recognizes that identifying the funding needed for the 2014 bond to begin work on the areas of most critical need is its first priority in this CIP. The School Board further recognizes that additional community inputs, and further collaboration with the Arlington County Board and Arlington County Government staff, are needed to make a final determination for some capital improvements in this CIP. The School Board recognizes the need to address its school construction cost through bond capacity in collaboration with the Arlington County Government. Consistent with these goals, I move that the School Board adopt the FY2015- FY2024 Capital Improvement Plan summarized below, as follows: The School Board will apply $11,000,000 from closeout funding to reduce the bonding request in the 2014 bond. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CAPACITY Addition and Renovation at Abingdon Elementary School Estimated Additional Seats: 225 Total Projected Completion: start of school, September 2017 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $33,500, Bond Funding: $33,500,000 Elementary School Plan Addition at South Arlington Elementary School Elementary school will be selected for renovations/additions to add elementary school seats. Estimated Additional Seats: Total Projected Completion: start of school, Fall 2020 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $29,900, Bond Funding: $29,900,000 McKinley Elementary School Addition/Renovation Estimated Additional Seats: 225 Total Arlington School Board minutes - Page 5 of 12 - June 16, 2014

6 Projected Completion: start of school, September 2016 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $16,100, Bond Funding: $7.5 million (Project funding also includes $8.6 million from the 2012 bond.) SECONDARY SCHOOL CAPACITY Maximize Capacity at Kenmore, Jefferson, and Gunston Reed for HB Woodlawn Estimated Additional Seats: Total Projected Completion: start of school, September 2018 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $59,000, Bond Funding: $59,000,000 Stratford Renovation for Middle School Estimated Additional Seats: 750 Total Projected Completion: start of school, September 2018 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $10,000, Bond Funding: $2,000,000 Secondary Seats Washington-Lee High School Estimated Additional Seats: 300 Projected Completion Date: start of school, September 2016 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $5,000, Bond Funding: $5,000,000 Secondary Seats Arlington Career Center Estimated Additional Seats: 1,300 Projected Completion Date: scheduled in three phases, for start of school, September 2020, 2021 and 2022 Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $153,400, Bond Funding: $0 Process to explore the vision and program for the Career Center to be determined, to include all stakeholders, and to build on community and staff work already begun. MINOR CONSTRUCTION /MAJOR MAINTENANCE Maximum Estimated Total Project Cost: $70.1 million over the 10 years of the CIP 2014 Bond Funding: $10,310,000 The motion was seconded by Dr. Violand-Sánchez. The following speakers addressed the Board, sharing concerns about the proposed elementary school at the Jefferson site, especially the negative impact it could Arlington School Board minutes - Page 6 of 12 - June 16, 2014

7 have on green space, and asking for more community discussion before a decision is made. Speakers also shared concerns about increased traffic that will result from another school at that location, and suggested building at other County sites or increasing enrollment at underutilized schools: Jim Presswood, Arlington Heights resident Susannah Keefe, Friends of Thomas Jefferson Park Medha Shah, Lyon Park Civic Association Eric Heyer, County resident Maureen Critchley, Arlington Heights resident Megan Haydasz, Arlington Heights resident Scott Winn, Arlington Heights resident Patricia Bullington-McGuire, resident and parent Jonathan Moore, resident Stephanie Lagana, resident Dori Kukawa, resident Stephen Hughes, Arlington Heights Resident Harold Magnussen, resident The following speakers addressed the Board, sharing concerns about an urban middle school at the Wilson site, such as safety and traffic issues as well as the need to maintain the green space at the site. Some speakers felt that discussion of this option has not been sufficient. Several speakers proposed instead that a neighborhood middle school be built at the Stratford location. Two speakers supported preserving the historic Wilson building if a school is built on the site: Lisa DeMarchi Sleigh, Long Branch Medha Shah, Lyon Park Civic Association Ellen Greer, Taylor parent Tracey Dougherty, Taylor parent Alexandra Voigt, Taylor parent Eve Reed, Taylor parent Nathan Kelley, Taylor, Swanson and Washington-Lee parent Kristin Woody, Taylor parent Heidi Gibson Taylor parent Elizabeth Lord, Taylor parent Angie Lathrop, Taylor parent Alison Horton, resident Stuart Stein, Radnor/Ft. Myer Heights Civic Association Katie Elmore, North Rosslyn Civic Association Polly Hall, Long Branch and Jefferson parent Susan Newton, Taylor parent Dan Greenwood, Taylor parent Jennifer Hammer, Taylor parent Dana Milburn, resident Arlington School Board minutes - Page 7 of 12 - June 16, 2014

8 The following speakers addressed the Board, urging the Board to continue to support and maintain the current H-B Woodlawn program, sharing benefits of attending the school, and encouraging community collaboration in finding solutions to capacity needs: Laura Saul Edwards, H-B Woodlawn parent and incoming PAC leader Lina Dutky, H-B Woodlawn graduate Joseph Patrician, H-B Woodlawn graduate The following speakers also addressed the Board: Tom Jensen, Jamestown PTA President: speaking on behalf of the PTA, recognizing the various points of view about the CIP being shared, and stressing that the Board needs to focus on adding enough seats to meet the challenges of rising enrollment. Michael Thomas, resident: commenting on the significant amount of new development in the County and how this growth will contribute to the student population, and sharing his concern that the County Board does not seem to consider how new developments will affect school enrollment. Paul Mulligan, resident: asking that any development of the Wilson site include sufficient athletic and green space for community use. Sarah McKinley, Columbia Heights Civic Association President: reiterating the need for a comprehensive planning process with strong community engagement as plans for the Career Center are considered. She also encouraged developing partnerships with local universities as part of this plan. Audrey Clement, candidate for School Board: speaking to concerns about costs of planned projects in the County and how they will be funded, and encouraging the incorporation of energy efficient features in buildings to cut costs. Monique O Grady, Arlington Heights resident: appreciating aspects of the proposed CIP, including adding elementary seats in South Arlington, supporting preservation of green space throughout the community, and encouraging collaboration and dialog as decisions are made for adding capacity. Laura Hoye, resident: opposing the loss of green space that would occur with building a new elementary school at Jefferson and a middle school at Wilson, and also expressing concerns about safety and traffic at the Wilson site. Michael Beer, resident: highlighting the school capacity crisis that Arlington is facing, recognizing that the CIP proposals being considered do not include sufficient funds to provide the needed seats in time, particularly at the middle school level, and stating the need for a funding mechanism that will adequately Arlington School Board minutes - Page 8 of 12 - June 16, 2014

9 address capacity needs. Mr. Beer also suggested some options for the needed funding such as additional money from the county or proffers. Ms. Raphael thanked the speakers for their comments, and asked for comments from Board members prior to voting on the proposed motions. Mr. Lander suggested that the option he proposed be called alternative option #1, and he clarified that it is a reflection of the work of Board members and staff, and incorporates community conversations, rather than an option that he developed independently. He recognized that this option does not meet every need and does have risks associated with it, but he stated that he has submitted the option for consideration because it is fiscally responsible, stays within bonding capacity and adds seats as soon as possible. Dr. Violand-Sánchez recognized the community comments opposed to a 1,300 seat middle school at Wilson and in support of preserving the H-B Woodlawn program, as well as comments from other communities such Jefferson and Abingdon. She appreciated Mr. Lander s work on preparing alternative option #1 for Board consideration, but recognizing that it only adds 750 middle school seats, she asked how the plan addresses the additional middle school seats that APS projections indicate will be needed over the next ten years. She also noted that this option does not include all the needed elementary seats. Mr. Lander commented that as projections are less accurate farther out, this option allows APS to revisit and recalculate projections in the future, and he reaffirmed his belief that the adopted plan should stay within bonding capacity. He noted that at the elementary level, there is available capacity at Drew, Randolph and Hoffman- Boston, and he believes that those facilities should be used to full capacity before adding other space, which will ensure flexibility down the road. Mr. Simon thanked the speakers and the community for the feedback that the Board has heard over the past few months. He spoke to the CIP process, confirming that the School Board must submit their request to the County Board, and the County then votes on that request; and he noted that the County Board cannot make changes to specific line items in the schools CIP. He recognized the suggestion of discussion with the County to request additional funding, but he expressed concern that this is not a feasible option at this time. Noting that alternative option #1 uses $11 million in closeout funds, Mr. Simon spoke to his concern that these funds would not be available for those immediate needs that this funding traditionally has been used for; and he also recognized that state funding will be lower than previously anticipated, adding to budget pressures. Mr. Simon then spoke to the main motion, appreciating that it includes plans for improvements to Abingdon Elementary School, additional seats at Washington- Lee High School, and long-term plans for the Career Center. Acknowledging the feedback the Board has received on Jefferson, he commented that this CIP proposal is responsible and includes multiple options for the site, but also commits the Board to a thorough community process to determine how best to Arlington School Board minutes - Page 9 of 12 - June 16, 2014

10 proceed. He also recognized that through this process the Board may decide that Jefferson is not the best site and may move to the alternate plan to add elementary capacity. Finally, Mr. Simon recognized concerns about a 1,300 seat neighborhood middle school at Wilson, but also commented on the importance of considering all options as the Board looks to come to a sound and reasonable decision. Ms. Raphael commented on Mr. Lander s concerns about the accuracy of long-term projections, and he reiterated his belief that as stewards of public funds, the Board should make financially responsible decisions. Ms. Raphael had questions about some of the items included in alternative option #1, including what the anticipated costs are for adding capacity at current middle schools, and what is included in the item titled Reed for H-B Woodlawn, as well as costs associated with that item. Mr. Lander confirmed the desire to maximize existing capacity, and stated that the costs for these options would be determined by staff based on factors such as the number of relocatables needed. He also confirmed that the alternative option moves the H-B Woodlawn program to Reed, which would require renovation and an addition, and The Childrens School would be moved to relocatables at the Wilson site. Responding to questions from Ms. Raphael, Ms. Peterson confirmed that alternative option #1 provides 961 fewer seats than the School Board proposed CIP. She also confirmed that the cost per seat in alternative option #1 is approximately $12,000 higher than the in the School Board proposed CIP. Finally, Ms. Peterson commented that alternative option #1 will bring on the additional elementary seats in south Arlington much later than in the School Board proposed CIP. Dr. Violand-Sánchez was interested in how the timeline and bonding for additional seats at the secondary level would change if seats were added at multiple sites, for example, as proposed in alternative option #1. Mr. Chadwick agreed that some of the seats could be made available sooner if the locations were changed, and Ms. Peterson confirmed that this could also make available some funding for other uses. Ms. Baird appreciated the comments and conversation with the community that has been part of this CIP process. She acknowledged that APS enrollment projections have been extremely accurate for many years, and she reiterated Mr. Simon s comments about the compelling need to add seats as soon as possible, stressing that these are students, not just seats. She shared several concerns about alternative option #1, such as the lack of conversation with the Reed community about possible changes at that site, the potential move of The Childrens School, and the suggested use of all close-out funds. She recognized that some of the ideas in this option may have warranted further discussion had they been proposed earlier, but felt that it was too late in the CIP process to consider such significant changes. Ms. Raphael confirmed that in conversation, the County Board has indicated a willingness to share bonding capacity and she briefly reviewed County guidelines concerning bonding limits. She recognized that this does not address the larger issue of not having sufficient funding available to add all of the needed seats, and looked forward to continuing efforts to address this shortfall. She spoke to concerns about alternative option #1, noting that Abingdon would exceed the Arlington School Board minutes - Page 10 of 12 - June 16, 2014

11 maximum size that the Board has agreed to for elementary schools, and the cost per seat for secondary seats would be significantly higher. She also echoed Ms. Baird s concerns about proposing changes at Reed without any community process. Ms. Raphael also noted that the School Board was presented with the alternative option #1 for the first time at the beginning of tonight s meeting, which does not provide sufficient time to consider such a significant change to the School Board proposed CIP. She confirmed that the CIP is an ongoing process and, appreciating feedback received, she confirmed that discussion of options at Jefferson will continue and a joint process with the County will be undertaken that will continue to allow community involvement. In terms of the main motion, Ms. Raphael confirmed that it focuses on adding seats when needed and where needed, and supports continuing discussion and study to determine what programs and locations best meet the community s needs. She reviewed the process that Board used to develop the criteria used to evaluate all options, and she looked forward to continuing this work to address capacity needs. Ms. Raphael called for a vote on Alternative option #1. The motion was defeated in a vote of 1-4 with Mr. Lander voting affirmatively and Ms. Baird, Ms. Raphael, Mr. Simon and Dr. Violand-Sánchez opposing. Ms. Raphael then called for a vote on the motion to amend the main motion, deleting the word preferred to describe the Jefferson site for a new middle school. The motion was defeated in a vote of 2-3, with Mr. Lander and Dr. Violand-Sánchez voting affirmatively and Ms. Baird, Ms. Raphael, and Mr. Simon opposing. Ms. Raphael called for a vote on the main motion, which was adopted by a vote of 4 0 with 1 abstention. Ms. Baird, Ms. Raphael, Mr. Simon and Dr. Violand- Sánchez voted affirmatively and Mr. Lander abstained. Mr. Simon made the following Motion: Resolution of the School Board of Arlington County Requesting a Special Election on the Question of Issuing a Maximum of $105,780,000 in General Obligation Bonds of Arlington County for School Purposes June 16, 2014 WHEREAS, Section of the Code of Virginia of 1950, as amended (the Code ), requires that the School Board of Arlington County ( School Board ) request, by resolution, that the County Board of Arlington County ( County Board ) adopt a resolution regarding the contracting of a debt and the issuance of general obligation bonds of Arlington County for school purposes; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the School Board, as required by Section of the Code, does hereby request that the County Board adopt a resolution setting forth the maximum amount of its general obligation bonds to be issued for capital projects for school purposes and requesting that the Circuit Court of Arlington County order an election on the question of contracting a debt Arlington School Board minutes - Page 11 of 12 - June 16, 2014

12 J. ADJOURNMENT: ATTEST: and issuing the general obligation bonds of Arlington County in an amount not to exceed $105,780,000 for the purpose of paying the costs of capital projects for school purposes. This resolution shall take effect immediately, seconded by Ms. Baird. Ms. Raphael called for a vote and the motion was adopted in a vote of 5 0, with Ms. Baird, Mr. Lander, Ms. Raphael, Mr. Simon and Dr. Violand-Sánchez voting affirmatively. The meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM Melanie Elliott, Clerk Arlington School Board Abby Raphael, Chair Arlington School Board Arlington School Board minutes - Page 12 of 12 - June 16, 2014