Montessori School-Within-a-School Meeting
Glacier Valley School EII Classroom
March 9, 2007 8:30am
Present: Charla Wright, Ted Wilson, Cory Crossett, Chris Trostel, Deb Morse, Deb Chalmers, Matt Dusenberry, Dana Weiler, Stephanie Allison, Alison Talley, Lupita Alverez
Charla started by discussing the positions for the Montessori teachers. Charla qualified that "expansion" would be if the program is adding grades, not adding students; therefore the program does not need to follow any protocol developed by the district administration and/or school board. Advertising is getting out immediately for the necessary qualified teachers. By the end of next week the advertising should be ready to go for teacher recruitment. For the 07-08 school year, the position at elementary is a half time level, for the 08-09 school year the position will be full time.
Charla stated that AMP will have both of the modulars for next year (This has been in question due to the increasing need for space at Mendenhall River School).
The JSD Facilities Committee has been overwhelmed this year; the intent of the committee is to address the facility needs of Montessori. Charla feels the committee has been so busy they haven't had a chance to act on the Montessori facilities plan. Charla stated she will support the Montessori facilities plan.
Charla stated that the district has purchased software and recently trained an individual for the boundary redrawing. The Next Generation team will only look at the secondary levels. The plan, Charla believes, is to look at all boundaries to make changes for the following year (2008-2009). The biggest impacts are the renovations planned at the elementary levels. The intention is to have the possibilities available when decisions need to be made.
There will be no changes to procedures for the next year in the lottery. A web site could be a good idea; however Charla could offer no assistance on developing a web site.
An administrator for Montessori would be a possibility, when the program reaches 150 students.
At this point, Charla had to leave the meeting.
There is concern that it may be difficult to fill the full-time position available for next year. Some of the alternatives discussed are to put Matt's current class with Chris' class, with Chris as lead teacher, Matt part-time and another individual who has Montessori training and is state certified (but doesn't have the necessary Montessori certifications). A couple of people have approached Chris from out of state; however they have no state certificate. An alternative is a provision certificate from the state for someone who has a certificate in another state.
Ted asked if two classrooms were connected by an accordion door would help with space. Chris responded in the affirmative. Chris also asked that the Montessori classrooms be close to each other. Especially for a first year teacher who might occasionally need assistance. Ted noted that there are classrooms with sliding doors in the primary wing which would be ideal for Montessori classrooms. Ted indicated that the increasing safety concerns and the building work to be happening this summer will be an ideal time to make changes within the building. The Rally rooms will both be moving to the relocatables; the Head Start class would be moved to the smaller Rally room and two classes in the primary wing will move to the secondary wing. All three Montessori classrooms will be in the same wing, next door and across the hall from each other.
Windows and mechanical will be changed in the Glacier Valley building this summer. Between the first Monday after class ends until August 10th the building will be inaccessible to anyone.
Chris asked Deb Morse about planning ect.. for the year after next. Deb stated that the boundary changes will be worked on for changes in Fall of 2008. Spring 2008 is the soonest a re-alignment of boundaries will happen. If the additional money is obtained for renovations, Harborview will not be out of Marie Drake until 2009. Chris asked about the MD renovation, Deb noted that there is $6 million available for MD renovations.
Deb M. indicated that task discussion for the facilities committees does not include the Montessori discussion. Deb suggested continued attendance of facilities planning meetings and speaking during public comment. Deb gave Stephanie Allison a task list for the Facilities Committee, along with the new dates for the meetings. And outlined the following dates:
Thunder Mountain HS opens 08-09
Harborview moves into Marie Drake 08-09
Harborview moves back fall 09
Marie Drake Renovations occur 09-10
Fall 2010 Marie Drake will be available for permanent occupation.
Lupita asked Deb how to be part of the process of planning for a when and where for Montessori. Deb responded that the Superintendent's cabinet will be looking at Marie Drake for planning on what is going into the building, Montessori is a possibility in either Marie Drake or the current Yakoosge building.
Deb M thinks that next year will be the big year, and next spring will be a big planning event, due to renovations at Glacier Valley which will mean the lose of two classrooms. Deb recommended to keep showing up to Facilities meetings and include a public comment. Chris asked if there was any consideration for a valley location, Deb has not heard any discussion regarding Riverbend as a home for Montessori. Mendenhall River is already over capacity.
Chris noted that moving again would not be her first choice, but for the program it would be better to be in proximity to the current location.
There was a discussion on the specialist allocation and the letter written by the Glacier Valley Site Council to the School Board. Stephanie will be presenting this letter to the school board as a GV Site Council Member.
Chris wrapped up the discussion: We will be at Glacier Valley and Mendenhall River again for the 07-08 school year. Beyond that, the district is looking at reboundaring and by next spring we should have a clear picture on whether we will be here for the following year or moved to another location in the valley.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Stephanie Allison
