Guidelines and Frame Work For Superintendent Stan Mims Lay Citizen Advisory Task Force (BOE Policy 6170)
Superintendent “Stan” Mims’
Lay Citizen Advisory Task Force (BOE Policy 6170)
Guidelines and Frame Work For
Lay Citizen Advisory Task Force, November 2, 2006
Mims "Charge to Task Force Members:
1) “Review Data for Evidence Based Decisions”
2) Give Special Attention to:
Educational Program
Declining Enrollment
Finances
3) Compare Alternatives In Light of Consolidation Considerations
4) Share Process
5) Share Rationale
6) Share Recommendations with greater community
7) Hold Public Hearings
8) Bring back written comments, concerns or suggestions from the community to share with the main Task Force Committee
9) Develop recommendations for Which Schools [If Any] to Be Closed
A. Educational Program
Collect data pertinent to consideration whether use of a facility for school
purposes should continue.
Ø Take into account the following criteria:
Ø Enrollment size in relationship needed to provide quality educational programs
in the future.
Ø Proximity of the school to community resources
Ø Effect that closing a school would have on desegregation
B. Pupil Considerations
Ø Hardships/Benefits to parents and children resulting from closure (Safety, Distance, Physical Barriers, and economic problems)
C. Community Considerations
Ø Effect on Neighborhood from closure/consolidation, or conversion to another use
D. Financial Considerations
Ø Overall financial condition of Birmingham City Schools, both current and projected
Ø Analysis of operating costs and savings that may result from closure or consolidation
Ø Added costs or savings for transporting pupils
E. Building Considerations
Ø Building age, condition, location, size of site
Ø Adequacy of building for the [academic] program
Ø Suitability of building for other school use
Ø Alternatives of selling or leasing the facility
F. Long-Range Planning Considerations
Ø Relationship to comprehensive plan of school district, other governmental bodies and planning agencies
Ø Need to use property for other purposes
Ø Projected land use resulting in changes in residential and commercial patterns
G. Parents and other school patrons will be involved early in discussions [regarding] possible school closing and consolidation . . . Parents will be well informed in advance
Regarding recommendations and possible Board action.
Public Records Request To Stanley Mims Of
Citizens for Better Schools
P. O. Box 190280
Birmingham, Alabama 35219
(205) 478-7183
August 9, 2007
Dr. Stanley Mims
Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools
Park Place
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
Dear Dr. Mims:
For each City school, please provide us the following information:
REQUEST I
School Total Total Total Highly Highly
Teachers Certified Non Qualified Qualified
Certified Certified Non-Tenured
REQUEST II
School % Core Classes Taught % Core Classes Taught % Core Classes Taught
By Highly Qualified by HQT in by HQT in
High Poverty Low Poverty
Schools* Schools**
REQUEST III (School Rank Order of Poverty)
District School Grade Span
% of Poverty % of % of Poverty
Average Poverty in School
REQUEST III (Title I Feeder Pattern)
Feeder Pattern Example | ||||
ENROLLMENT
| LOW-INCOME # | |||
(All Schools) | 3,000 | 1,422 | ||
Calculate average percentage of poverty for all elementary, middle schools, and K-8 schools (i.e., all BCS receiving Title I funds) attendance areas by dividing the total number of low-income children by the total enrollment (1,533 ÷ 3,190). The average percentage of poverty is projected as 48.06%. Because all elementary schools eventually feed into the high school, the poverty percentage of the high school is also 48.06%. To calculate the number of low-income students in the high school, multiply the total school enrollment by the average percentage of poverty for all the elementary feeder schools (3,000 x 48.06%). This is the number used for allocating Title I funds to the high school. | ||||
EXAMPLE OF FEEDER PATTERN | ||||
DISTRICT | ENROLLMENT | LOW-INCOME # | ||
(Elementary) School A (1) School B (1) School C (2) School D (1) School E (2) School F (2) School G (1) | 512 322 450 376 504 610 416 | 360 142 100 201 221 307 202 | ||
Total
| 3,190 | 1,533 | ||
(Middle School 1) | 1,599 | 890 | ||
Calculate average percentage of poverty for elementary attendance areas A, B, D, and G by dividing the total number of low-income children in schools A, B, D, and G by the total enrollment of schools A, B, D, and G (905 ÷ 1,626). The average percentage of poverty is 55.66%. Because these four elementary schools feed into Middle School 1, the poverty percentage of Middle School 1 is projected as 55.66% To calculate the number of low-income students in Middle School 1, multiply the total school enrollment by the average percentage of poverty for the four elementary feeder schools (1,599 x 55.66%). This is the number used for allocating Title I funds to Middle School 1. | ||||
(Middle School 2) | 1,325 | 532 | ||
Calculate average percentage of poverty for elementary attendance areas C, E, and F by dividing the total number of low-income children in schools C, E, and F by the total enrollment of schools C, E, and F (628 ÷ 1,564). The average percentage of poverty is 40.15%. Because these three elementary schools feed into Middle School 2, the poverty percentage of Middle School 2 is projected as 40.15%. To calculate the number of low-income students in Middle School 2, multiply the total school enrollment by the average percentage of poverty for the three elementary feeder schools (1,325 x 40.15%). This is the number used for allocating Title I funds to Middle School 2. | ||||