PREAMBLE

The Washington Township community has engaged for more than twelve months in a Master Facilities Planning process to assess the school district’s facilities and develop recommended solutions to address facility related issues throughout the district. Through open, invitational and transparent meetings, both formal and informal, constituencies in the community joined in the discussion about facility challenges and solutions for the district. Throughout this process, the Master Facilities Planning Committee, the School Administration and the Board of Education have focused on certain guiding principles. As these community conversations will continue through and after the consideration of the Construction and Operating Referenda by voters on the November 8, 2016 ballot, the Board of Education feels it is important to summarize these principles and make the two concluding affirmations below.

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township is committed to its Vision of Superior Schools in a Supportive Community; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township is committed to the Mission to develop lifelong learners and globally-minded citizens by fostering the academic, creative, and social skills needed to achieve excellence in a multicultural environment; and

WHEREAS, the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township has previously adopted a resolution establishing its Strategic Plan; and

WHEREAS, the second Area of Focus, Learning Environment, under the Operations Division reads, “Develop and deploy a Master Facilities Plan for long-range planning that addresses anticipated future facility needs of the district, with the advisement of the Master Facilities Planning Committee in the areas of: Capacity/Educational Effectiveness, Safety/Security and code Compliance, and Healthy Learning Environment.”; and

WHEREAS, the second Area of Focus, Learning Environment, under the Business Services Division reads, “Collaborate in the development of a Master Facilities Plan that meets the needs of 21^st century learners that is affordable for MSD Washington Township and all community stakeholders.”; and

WHEREAS, the School District, its professional partners and the community based Master Facilities Planning Committee have reviewed assessments of all educational facilities within the district; and

WHEREAS, the work of the Master Facilities Planning Committee and any recommendations or conclusions were and/or shall be developed with fidelity to the following Guiding Principles:

• Elementary School
  1. Schools will be K-5 where enrollments range between 650 – 725

1. Less transitions for students
2. Investing in home schools

1. Avoid excessively large schools which pose problems for;
   1. The administration
   2. The scheduling of specials

• Common teacher planning/collaboration

1. Gain appropriate support space to meet program needs
2. Improve physical sites, particularly traffic flow

• Middle School
  1. 6-8 grade configuration to minimize transitions
  2. Enrollment capacity between 800 and 1050 students
  3. Classroom spaces conducive to conversation and dialogue
  4. Support spaces for small group work
  5. Improve meeting spaces for professional collaboration
  6. Improve site safety through redesigned traffic flow

• High School
  1. 9-12 grade configuration to minimize transitions
  2. Enrollment capacity between 3500 and 4000 students
  3. Classroom spaces conducive to conversation and dialogue
  4. Support spaces for small group work
  5. Improve meeting spaces for professional collaboration

WHEREAS, the Master Facilities Planning Committee and the Administration have been tasked with efficiently addressing capacity needs throughout the district, and

WHEREAS, certain school building(s), is/are undersized and lack the capacity needed to conform to the Guiding Principles;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, based on information which is known now and contingent upon the successful passage of two referenda questions in November 2016, the Board documents its intent that one or more new school facilities, with the capacity to accommodate 650-725, K-5 students, will be constructed within the MSD of Washington Township.

 FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, based on information which is known now and contingent upon the successful passage of two referenda questions in November 2016, the Board commits that none of the existing educational facilities currently in use will be permanently closed, but will remain valued and utilized assets within the Metropolitan School District of Washington Township.

Submitted by: Dr. Nikki C. Woodson, Superintendent

Adopted by the Board of Education on September 28, 2016

____________________________                            __________________________

Mr. William Turner, President                                  Dr. Wanda Thruston, Secretary