Parents who showed up at the Montclair Board of Education meeting last night expressed concern that the newest plan for Washington Street School would compromise the programs of Rand and Renaissance Schools and put the school at full capacity, with no room for growth, from day one. There were also strong resistance to the idea of establishing a K-8 school in the district.
The board and Superintendent Alverez assured the crowd that no decision had been made yet and all concerns would be heard with an open mind.
None of the approximately 80 parents in attendance showed support for a K-8 building. Dr. Alvarez suggested that the benefits of a K-8 curriculum included a more stable environment for middle school students, the ability for faculty and staff to monitor growth over a longer period of time, and the elimination of the transition between elementary and middle schools.
Objectors complained that creating a K-8 school would either mean changing the missions and curricula of both schools, or else creating two distinct schools in one space, which would negate all the proposed benefits of a K-8 school anyway. One speaker also said that it would be harder for kids to transition to high school after nine years at the same school environment.
Mary Emanuelli, president of the Rand PTA, restated her urge on behalf of the Rand community for the school to be allowed to move to the new facility and to remain as it is. She cited an informal poll conducted on the Rand PTA website that showed the majority of parents preferred Rand to continue as a K-5 school.
Another major objection was crowding. "Are we making a compromise from day one?" a speaker asked. Board members floated ideas for block and staggered scheduling, saying that these were administrative issues that could be solved, but acknowledged the need for room for growth at the new school.
The superintendent and board members brought up their opinions that Rand and Renaissance Schools were not dissimilar in teaching methods. "These two schools are very compatible to me, in terms of teaching philosophies," said Alvarez.
One Renaissance 6th grade student, who had graduated from Rand School, took the podium and stated her view that the two schools offered very different experiences, and that the Rand facilities had been fine while she was attending the school. "Renaissance needs a new building, not a new school," she said.
The main advantage of the newest reorganization plan is that it would save the district the costs of retrofitting Rand School for middle school use. Retrofitting would include things like replacing individual bathrooms in classrooms with hall bathrooms and replacing cubbies with lockers.
These problems were met with hearty offers from parents who offered to pitch in and help with renovations. "How're your plumbing skills?" board member John Carleton asked one speaker.
Other speakers worried that Renaissance would lose its unique relationship with the community. Because Renaissance does not have a gym, Renaissance's education is rounded out by off-site programs at the YMCA, Ashley's Soccer Domain, and Sharon Miller's Academy for the Performing Arts. If Renaissance was moved to Washington Street, students might lose this opportunity, some feared.
Although most of the concerns were about Rand and Renaissance, one parent expressed disdain for the idea of adding a new magnet school in the old Rand building: "This town is crazy with the choose-your-own-magnet-school."
The Board left open the possibility of implementing a temporary plan, which would keep the Rand and Renaissance programs the same for current students -- but change their programs in the future.
Board member Shelly Lombard concluded with remarks to the parents in attendance, cautioning them to temper their expectations for the new school with considerations about the impact on the school budget. "Money is a concern for me. Come back during budget time, the seats will be filled, but it will be very different people with very different concerns," said Lombard told the crowd of parents. "This is an environment where fiscal concerns are paramount."
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Comments (52)
"This town is crazy with the choose-your-own-magnet-school."
It definitely is crazy.
Now sit back and watch as the 80 parents pleas are completely and utterly ignored by the recently affirmed unaccountable Montclair board of education!
Don't blame me. I didn't think there was really a need for the new school in the first place.
The district has shown bad planning skills with the Devon School building, with the planning of the Washington St school, with the execution of the building of former, and now with the integration of this new building into the district.
In the meantime we are paying national top $$ for this circus.
If reality was a Disney movie, the Administration and Board would resign in shame.
Now, who might Grumpy be on the board? Too me they all looked like Sleepy...
Too bad there were only seven dwarfs and not nine. :-)
I suggest reorganizing the entire BOE/School system. Split academics from operations and make BOE responsible solely for academic performance. Align principals w/ support staff by grade instead of buildings to focus their strengths solely on academic achievement. Eliminate BOE Central Office.
Create new, consolidated organization to manage facilities, operations, purchasing, etc. Have BOE sell school buildings to town and lease back. Lay long-term groundwork for shared-services model for ops, facility mgmt and a purchasing co-op. Place all athletic facilities under this org or recreation dept. Replace C.A. rink with gym, convert existing HS gym to academic space. Rent HS auditorium to MSU during day for large intro level classes and let HS students attend free for advance placement college credits.
Regardless of the validity and $$, the debate will relegate ‘which classes go where’ insignificant because it will illustrate there is not a grand plan or vision.
Baristanet offers the best armchair critic conventions around--pull up a La-Z-Boy!
There is some evidence that K-8 can be a good model for all the reasons that Alvarez mentioned. There isn't a ton of data out there, but this site sums some of it up.
But the problem here is that to put this model into place, two schools with their own identity and unique programs would have to merge. And there would be some compromises for both sides. Parents from both schools are happy with their respective programs and both schools love their Principals so nobody is very willing to compromise.
I thought initially that the BOE didn't want to move Renaissance to Rand because they don't want middle school kids so close to the high school students.
I do wonder, though, how Renaissance will be able to maintain their unique use of the community services by moving to Rand. The only place that would be close enough for them to walk to is the Soccer Dome.
"One speaker also said that it would be harder for kids to transition to high school after nine years at the same school environment."
I'm all for the parents getting whatever they want, especially since I never plan on raising kids in this town. However, don't sight wonky ideas like that, I went to a K-8 and had no problem transitioning into high school.
"The only place that would be close enough for them to walk to is the Soccer Dome"
Not true...They could also lunch at Crocket's Fish Fry.
And intern at Dressing for Pleasure.
Because 6 blocks is too far for middle school students to walk? They really do need some physical education.
That's funny, stu! But, I meant if Ren moves to Rand's current position on Chestnut/Fullerton, they can't really walk to all those places they do now. They aren't that far away but it doesn't seem to be within a reasonable distance for walking within the school day.
Am I the only one that thinks it is crazy that after $35M+ we now have an extra school building?
"we now have an extra school building?"
Not counting the rented, asbestos laden current digs of Renaissance, of course.
Is this saying that the BOE just had a building built that no longer fits the specs of what they want to use it for? Isn't it a little late to change the plan now? Why didn't they think of this before?
This debate is a distraction.
While we're wondering what to use the school for we aren't:
1) holding the district accountable for controlling spending.
2) figuring out why it costs $70,000 per seat to build a school.
3) setting real goals for the district and holding the schools and administrators accountable for achieving those goals.
First, many thanks to the Baristas for covering this story!
The BOE wanted to see if there might be a better use for that building, since it took like 10 years to build it.
If Renaissance and Rand go to the new school, then the present Rand building was recommended to become a new K-5 program. Other ideas were also thrown around - Old Rand K-2, new school 3-8; Old Rand K-3, new school 4-8; though the K-8/K-5 was the recommendation.
I think (not certain) that the kids can't walk too far for outside services because there's a certain time frame allotted for travel time. If it's too far, it would cut into instructional time. (just an assumption here.)
Either way I doubt outside services could be completely justified, since the Renaissance kids would now have access to a gym and field. Though my kids would want to keep swimming!
Now sit back and watch as the 80 parents pleas are completely and utterly ignored by the recently affirmed unaccountable Montclair board of education!
Stu...I SO hope you are wrong!
Now sit back and watch as the 80 parents pleas are completely and utterly ignored by the recently affirmed unaccountable Montclair board of education!
Stu...I SO hope you are wrong!
Stu is right. Alvarez wants K-8. Alvarez wants the Renaissance principal gone. What Alvarez wants, Alvarez gets -- that is, after all, what a majority voted for. It's a bit late to "hope" for something else.
((((sigh))))
Well, Pollyanna here will keep trying.
If there is in fact a vendetta against Cobb, it is wholly undeserved, IMO.
My Something Stinks antenna was up after I learned that Cobb heard nothing about this at all from central office until sometime within the last week. And after last Monday's meeting when Alvarez started backpedaling in the face of challenge, I started thinking, conspiracy! grrr
ROC
YES counting the empty, asbestos laden current digs of Rand, of course.
Has the Board and Dr. Alvarez met with the Principals and staff at both schools for their input?
Gail Prusslin
The question should be has Alvarez told the Board and the principals and staff at both schools that he has decided to do the meerger
When you voted to keep the appointed board you re-anointed him as the most powerful person in Montclair and he does not even live here
Gail,
As of three weeks ago, when the news first broke, Central Office had not been in touch with Cobb. (However, several members of the Alvarez Task Force are present or former Renaissance parents, so perhaps they have kept him in the loop. Oh sorry, i forgot, the Task Force was sworn to linked pinkys secrecy.) And Bob, that's the Anointed Board to you, sir!
Renaissance needs an overhaul. The principal needs to go, the resource room staff are a bad joke; the most incompetent individuals I've ever encountered and they should never be called "educators"!
Jo,
Are you one of those who complain first, do nothing second? Your minority view, while true perhaps for the person you dealt with (every organization has its share of incompetents), cannot be said for the school.
So again, what did YOU do to address these issues?
Two thoughts: you're a pain in the A** parents who expects WAY more than possible, or you are silently (and anonymously here) bitch, but never have done anything constructive to address your problems.
Of course the third option-- the folks you dealt with were horrible is certainly likely, but the answer to that 'round these parts is to scream loudly. Things usually get done.
Prof,
I do plenty. I file complaints. I've been in on numerous occasions to meet with the so-called educators and head of the school. I voted for an elected board. I pay taxes. I volunteer to drive the kids back and forth. Don't tell me what I don't do and what I should do because you are up someone's A** in the district or school!
As a parent I have every right to complain here or anywhere I damn please. I pay for that right and my kids should not be the recipients of an inadequate education at a poorly run institution.
I'd have to score that round to Jo. Sorry, prof.
The main advantage of the newest reorganization plan is that it would save the district the costs of retrofitting Rand School
A compelling argument.
These problems were met with hearty offers from parents who offered to pitch in and help with renovations.
Ha! Hee hee ho ho! That's a good one! Are parents offering to pay the full costs of the renovation? If not, they should sit down and put their hands in their laps.
Walleroo,
Rand will be renovated, whether or not it is occupied by middle schoolers or young 'uns in the k-2 plan. The middle school retrofit is more expensive because it requires hall bathrooms to be built to replace the small toilets that are presently in some of the rooms, as well as other rooms, like a library, cafeteria, and science lab. What the Renaisance parents are trying to do is to hold on to as much of their program as possible, and if they can take more of it with them to an older building, then that is what they would prefer to do. But we can't get an acounting from Central Office about the costs. IF Renaissance moves to the new building, we apparently don't get to take our principal, but will instead be assigned some sort of Lead Teacher. BUT the district will then be hiring a new principal to lead whatever school goes into the Rand building. So the budget issues come down to what will it cost to renovate Rand for the k-2 school, and hire a new principal versus what will it cost to renovate Rand for Renaissance. What is totally unclear in all of the discussions so far is what the impact on Glenfield and Mt Hebron will be if Renaissance disappears as a viable middle school. Will the same number of kids who request Renaissance every year (mostly from Rand and Northeast) still want to transfer into a k -8 school where, eventually, the students will have been together for 6 years already? Presumably there will be far fewer seats available even if the school still remains attractive. Most of the parents who are attracted to Renaissance for their kids are not going to be happy at Mt Hebron, so look out Glenfield! Some posters seem to think that the Renaissance parents want more for their kids than is available at the other middle schools. But really, we are being asked to accept major changes, including the fact that we will in fact no longer be a middle school.
Snappy guy voices my concerns. I have a child in 5th grade and hear overwhelmingly positive things about Renaissance. We are strongly considering requesting it for next year. From what I know of it, the Renaissance model - a small middle school with focused curriculum - is a great alternative that Montclair should not lose. But under the proposal put forward by the board, the option will virtually disappear for families who choose another elementary school than Washington Street.
I know we have to consider money but this would greatly limit choice in a district that prides itself on giving parents choice.
Snappy, you have got it spot on! I hope you are writing to the Board and coming to the meetings!
Frankly I don't know that we need to replace the Rand foyer with another set of terrazzo marble tiles (or whatever Sullivan called it). I'll bet I could get some close personal family members to lay standard heavy-duty ceramic tile for a song or less. I would be willing to roll paint on some walls. Cubbies need to be taken down? Give me a sledgehammer!
'Roo, you could even help out by bringing us some Gatorade while we work!
The fact is that money has to be spent on the Rand building regardless who moves into it. Whether all the items on the wish list that Sullivan read to us on Monday are *actually* necessary is another issue altogether.
Jo - I feel for you, but I would think your child is better off at Renaissance than either of the other schools due to its size. I wish you luck in the high school....
Snappy,
What is the proper greeting when you see the anointed board? Are you allowed to make eye contact with them, Do you bow or kneel? I know you are not supposed to turn your back on them or they will raise your taxes and give you a mediocre school system.
Actually they do that anyway
Thanks Kay. I chose Renaissance because of the size and the model. It is however in need of serious help when it comes to the resource services and we got absolutely no help from the head of the school, the CST or BOE. They all missed the boat.
Renaissance has no gym, no library, no this that or the other thing. And yet parents are worrying about what they'll have to give up? This is all a bit much. Those 5th grade parents who've decided a priori that their kids MUST go to Renaissance may very well wind up transferring the little buggers out after the first year! Life is full of little ironies like that.
As for having to get rid of the current principal, that should go in the plus column.
"I'll bet I could get some close personal family members to lay standard heavy-duty ceramic tile for a song or less. I would be willing to roll paint on some walls. Cubbies need to be taken down? Give me a sledgehammer"
Now it's turning into a circus.
i really don't think any tool is needed to solve this issue other than a spreadsheet.
Times are tough. Whatever option meets state criteria AND is the least expensive should prevail.
It's official... RoC has no heart! Sometimes I agree with you, sir or madame, but today, you make me very sad indeed.
seriously though, I think if we ever get to see the actual numbers, it may be quite surprising.
I don't see how adding another complete school staff can be less expensive in the long run.
BTW if they hadn't sold the Grove Street school, if they hadn't run into so many construction issues and delays, if, if, if... we probably would not be having this discussion at all and it wouldn't matter if times are tough or not - the new school would have been sorted a long time ago.
of course the least expensive option would be to move to the new school and knock down Rand altogether. Problem solved! (except for the overcrowding)
If "ifs" and "buts" were candy and nuts, wouldn't it be a Merry Christmas Kay?
Do you really think "knocking down" an existing building and continuing to rent a another large building is really more cost effective over the long run?
The maximum amount of "heart" Kay would be to have the taxpayers pay for individual in-home tutors for every student.
I really think this is a tempest in a teapot.
P.S.
And Kay, I'll venture to guess that why you disagree with me on this issue is because you kid(s) are involved. Aren't you regularly saying taxes are "too high" and the spending is "out of control" and they "should stay out of your wallet"? Does that only apply when you are not the beneficiary?
As the old saying goes "you can always rely on the support of Paul in robbing Peter".
Kay,
The town had 3 other schools. Grove St. South West and, I I don't remember what it was called- another directiony-type of name-- my memory is fading.
One is by Nicolo's Bakery, it's a condo now. The other- South West is near the old Community Hospital property and the other is Grove St.
(I'm not sure about the details here--- anyone know?)
This Town builds and sells!
Then it's agreed, we must NEVER reelect those council members from 15 years ago, should the ever seek election!
(prof, you're on to something, I must say!)
p.p.s.
My advice Kay, for what it's worth, if you want the "Renaissance method" to continue then I'd lobby for that, and not invest all the effort in one particular venue or not.
Do you really think "knocking down" an existing building and continuing to rent a another large building is really more cost effective over the long run?
No, because we would *not* continue to rent another building! Renaissance kids would go to the New School. Cost savings roughly ~$400K - rent $226, Sharron Miller $103, YMCA $21, Soccer Dome $55.
Who goes to the then-empty Rand building? A new program with a new staff. Doesn't matter what grades occupy it; there will be a principal, nurse, maintenance staff, and teachers. Whether there are K-5 or 12 kindergarten classes, that's still a full complement of personnel. Now where's the savings?
Now pretend Rand goes to the new school by itself and brings its full staff. Let's say their staff costs $1.0M. That cost is already in the O&M budget. Now let's say that they add a couple more kindergarten classes, so we add two or three more teachers to the staff budget.
And pretend Renaissance goes to Rand by itself. We already know it will fit there (it actually won't in the new building because we heard Monday night that only 3 classrooms per grade are allocated, not the 4 that they have now.) We spend $800K to rehab Rand for middle school. (Remember, no matter what we have to spend ~$500K to rehab for ANYone.) And if Renaissance gives up its external programs (because I've no doubt that will happen) the difference is roughly $400K (~$800 rehab cost minus $400 rent/externals).
This is $100K more than it would cost for the minimum necessary upgrades. (Difference between minimum renovations $500 and rent savings $400 = $100K.)
So for roughly $100K, my kids have to get moved to a school which will be at its occupancy limit from day one, which will lose its leader, its external programs, and three classrooms.
All because the taxpayers won’t approve it? Oh wait, we don’t vote on the budget. But I am placing my complete trust in the Board members to do what’s best for everyone, and that may not necessarily be what Alvarez wants.
So far the Board members I have seen, and heard from on occasion, have been responsive, polite, and interested, and sure seem to be listening carefully and giving credence to our arguments. I am thankful for that.
Yes, you are correct that I want government(s) in general to stop the careless and wanton spending of my money (and my childrens' money). There are many initiatives both local and federal that I think are ridiculous and wasteful. I do spend a significant portion of my income on property taxes and yes, that amount has increased many percentage points over the last 20 years. However, I also hoped that those taxes were going toward a stellar school system that would educate my children effectively. I believe it is a good school system, and it has so much more to offer than other districts. For over a decade I paid property taxes and had no kids in the system. But during that time I enjoyed the many benefits of living in Montclair and was glad to call it home (still am). Now that my kids are in school of course I have more interest in the school system.
So finally, Yes my ultimate goal is to retain the Renaissance program as-is. It doesn’t much matter where the program is located. However, I don’t believe that can be accomplished by moving to the new school based on what I have heard so far. In fact, I believe the entire model would go to pot in spite of what has been said at the meetings. It just does not seem logically possible due to leadership changes, scheduling, and classroom allocation.
All in order to save $100K?
Or is my math flawed?
Do you think it's an option that Rand will go empty? Rand either STAYS where it is. Or it moves to the new school. Either way there are 2 full staffs.
No, Rand would not go empty.
Under the current recommendation, two existing staffs go to the new school (Rand and Renaissance). One full NEW staff comes to the NEW program at the old Rand building. Staff = +1.
If Rand goes by itself to the new school, it takes its one staff.
Renaissance goes to the Rand building, and takes its one staff.
No need for complete new staff, just a few more teachers to staff up at the New School.
But Alvarez' proposal = one more new staff.
Sorry, I meant to say that under the current recommendation, two staffs go to the new school MINUS one principal.
So Alvarez' proposal = one more new staff, but no change on number of Principals.
Kay, Kay Kay. why would 2 complete staffs be needed in one building. Where are you getting these notions?
The new building and the existing Rand buildings will have ONE principal, ONE nurse, NINETEEN substance abuse counselors (you know the normal amount), just the normal staff for one school building.
The number of teachers will change but that's tied to the number of classes being taught. Which IS DEPENDENT ON THE TOTAL CAPACITY OF THE TWO BUILDINGS!
WHICH IS FIXED!!!
If it takes a total of 30 teachers to fully staff all the classrooms in the two buildings it doesn't matter which "school" (of the "3") they're assigned to. 30 is 30.
A few questions--I don't know the answers, maybe someone here does:
If Renaissance moves to Rand, will the program still include walking to the Y, Sharron Miller, etc? When I look at a map of Montclair, Rand is just about as far away from these places as the new school.
How many classrooms are in the new school? I thought it was 12 per floor, so 24. I think Rand has 15 classrooms now, so isn't it true that a fairly large number of new staff will need to be hired even if the new building is only K-5?
At a BoE meeting I attended, I heard that the 6-8 part of the new school would be included in the Middle School choice options available to all students in the district. Has this changed?
NYC has many school buildings that contain more than one 'school'. I think each school has it's own principal. Has this been discussed for the new building?
RoC, now I think you are purposely trying to trick me or something. Are you being snarky? What's not to get??
Renaissance has 4 teachers per grade. 12 teachers.
I believe Rand now has 15 classrooms, so 15 teachers.
ALL the teachers from Rand and Renaissance will go to the new school. Total population would already be over 550 kids. No kids would get left behind. The OLD Rand would be VACATED.
Now, the stated purpose of this endeavor is to reduce lower grade crowding. Hence, they begin a NEW program at the OLD Rand building. The NEW program would attract students from all the other schools thus relieving overcrowding everywhere.
WHO will staff the NEW PROGRAM?
A NEW STAFF, that's who!
---------
googleaddict,
I also heard 12 full size rooms per floor in the new building plus 3 special needs rooms, total 27 rooms. I originally heard Rand takes the first floor and Renaissance takes the 2nd floor. However, I now hear that Renaissance would only get 9 full classrooms and the remaining three would be small rooms with flexible walls or something like that. Or maybe they can still be configured during construction. Either way, Rand needs 15 rooms. I don't know how the math adds up.
My own opinion is that most if not all of the programs (soccer, etc.) will be cut out.
Don't know about the feeder situation yet.
I believe two principals was ruled out.
your argument rests on the assumption the three unneeded classrooms at Rand (when Renaissance only needs 12) will go empty.
Where do you get that?
Thank you Kay for laying it out clearly. I think an important point is being missed by some of the commenters.
Put aside the condition of the Renaisance building. No one is arguing the program should stay there. The fact is though that Renaissance is a true alternative to the other two middle schools. Alternatives are important - middle school can be when kids fall through the cracks, when bullying can get most intense, when behavior problems can grow severe, etc. Sure in NYC many buildings have more than one school. But the proposal for the new school in Montclair seems to be a K-8, not two schools in one building. The Renaissance model for middle school would be lost. Even if it retained some of the same characteristics in the K-8 program it would be virtually closed to all except those elementary school parents who choose to put their kids in the K-8 program.
momof2 (and Kay)--at the BoE meeting I attended, it was specifically stated that the proposal was for Renaissance to be available as a freedom of choice option to all district middle-schoolers, with no particular preference given to the Rand kids. Has this changed?
google, I just don't know - I can't say I heard that it would definitely stay available as FOC but then again they might have said it while I was passing notes (ha). While I think retaining the FOC is important, IMO that might go by the wayside along with the separate school leadership.
Whatever your view, write to the Board! If you are a Renaissance parent, come to the PTA meeting on Monday 11/23! I'm told that the move will be the primary topic that night.