|
|
|
|
|
Meeting Date:
|
11/26/2018 - 7:00 PM
|
|
Category:
|
Discussion Topics
|
|
Type:
|
Info
|
|
Subject:
|
High School Project
|
|
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
|
Objective 4.1 Optimal Learning Environments and Infrastructure In collaboration with City partners, ACPS will move aggressively to modernize all learning environments, expand or otherwise adapt facilities to meet projected changes in school enrollment, and ensure equitable application of capital improvements throughout the school division.
|
|
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
|
|
|
File Attachment:
|
|
|
Agenda Item Summary:
|
ACPS staff and the consultants engaged multiple Alexandria City stakeholders at the onset of this work beginning in July 2018. The engagement process included an online survey earning 421 responses and over 40 in person meetings, including 22 student class discussions, 4 town hall work sessions, 2 business/community leader focus groups and TC Williams staff meetings. Using this feedback as a framework, the consultants conducted research on the latest findings in education and examined programmatic models that mirrored or exemplified the characteristics for Alexandria. This engagement and research culminated in an educational vision including three powerful and recurring themes for the future high school experience:
1. Community Connected – ensuring that the future high school program, culture
and experience is rooted in community partnerships
2. Diversity as a Strength – that Alexandria’s values of access for all and our
multitude of differences are integrated into future
programs
3. Experiential Learning – hands-on learning and internships are fundamental to
learning
The vision ultimately resulted in a connected high school network or multiple campus approach, as the proposed approach to add capacity for Alexandria’s high school of the future.
Next steps will also include further engagement to confirm this proposed vision and model with key stakeholders who contributed to its development prior to the request for the School Board’s vote.
|
|
Background:
|
In alignment with the Task Force’s Recommendation to consider the capability needed prior to executing a capital project, ACPS developed a scope to assess the desired future high school experience and through which the design criteria will be established in anticipation of a substantial capital dollar request in FY2021 and ultimately, the delivery of new high school spaces and programs in between FY2022 and FY2023. ACPS contracted with Stantec Architecture and Fielding Nair International, Inc., nationally recognized architecture and planning firm and internationally recognized educational planning firm, respectively, herein referred to as “the consultants,” to complete this necessary planning effort. The consultants’ work consists of four phases which are critically timed to meet the desired period of performance for this project:
• Discover – Research high school models, learn about Alexandria’s context
• Engage – Develop a vision and high school expansion approach by engaging multiple stakeholders
• Define – Articulate the requirements necessary to execute the vision and approach
• Evaluate – Assess and recommend site option(s) for implementation
This work session is an opportunity for the School Board to (1) discuss the researched educational vision recommendation, (2) to explore in more detail the recommended expansion approach and potential configurations that align with the educational vision, and (3) establish a clear set of approval points upon which to vote that allow the consultants and staff to continue forward towards final Board approval and design procurement by June 2019.
|
|
Recommendation:
|
The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the presentation and prepare questions for the administration and/or consultants. It will ultimately be requested that the School Board vote at a future board meeting in support of the:
• Educational vision;
• Commitment to evolve curriculum, operations and practices to accommodate the vision; and
• Conceptual model to successfully implement the vision.
|
|
Approvals:
|
|
Recommended By:
|
|
Signed By:
|
|
|
Dr. Gregory C. Hutchings, Jr. - Superintendent
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|