- the cost of keeping Shawsheen open indefinitely
- the cost of keeping Shawsheen open in the short-run while the new Bancroft is built (after which time Shawsheen would close)
- a potential general concept plan for a modular-construction addition to Sanborn Elementary
- some possible enrollment scenarios
I will post the information here after the meeting (probably after Thanksgiving!).
Posts
Below is some information I recently shared with the school committee. You may find it interesting as well.
ReplyDelete"As we’ve discussed at meetings in recent weeks, both Shawsheen and Bancroft are very special schools. Their sizes and buildings contribute as much to creating this feeling and sense of community as does the excellent teaching that occurs there. I am fearful that much will be lost if we combine the two schools into one extremely large elementary school.
Current Massachusetts Elementary School Rankings for 2008-2009, based on 3rd and 4th Grade combined MCAS results, as compiled by the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, and MA Department of Education can be found at: http://www.schooldigger.com/go/ma/schoolrank.aspx. Interestingly, I find a direct correlation to our school building sizes and our rankings. Out of 914 elementary schools in Massachusetts, Bancroft ranks 12th with 469 students, Sanborn 23rd with 355 students, High Plain 49th with 524 students, South 130th with 579 students, and West 96th with 677. Another interesting statistic (based on a quick calculation) is that 75% of Massachusetts elementary schools have equal to or less than 500 students, 87% less than 600 students, and only 6% have 700 or more students. The 63 schools with populations between 600 and 700 students have an average ranking of 540. Let’s not put Bancroft in that category.
The very important decision you’ll be making in the next several weeks should be based on continuing to provide the best educational experience for our children. As a concerned citizen and educator, I am hopeful you will decide to keep the Bancroft population at its current 500 student size."