Grade Level Grouping Focus Groups - Application Deadline April 23, 2013
In preparation for Grade Level Grouping, the District is developing seven focus groups to help plan the transitions. Letters with information about the focus groups were sent home with students on April 17, 2013, as follows:

Letter/Forms for Glebe Street          Letter/Forms for Pleasant Avenue     Letter/Forms for Warren Street

Parents and students who are interested in serving on any of these focus groups should complete and return the attached form(s) as set forth in the letter, no later than April 23, 2013. Please note that we may not be able to accommodate everyone who volunteers for a focus group; volunteer names will be drawn in public during the Board of Education meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on April 24, 2013 at Knox Junior High School. Thank you for your interest and participation!

Resolution for Reconfiguration of Elementary Buildings Adopted at March 14, 2013 Board Meeting
WHEREAS, the Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education and administration has invested considerable time and effort investigating and discussing realignment of its elementary school buildings; and

WHEREAS, by motion made and unanimously adopted on November 29, 2012, the Board of Education of the Greater Johnstown School District did resolve to proceed with the development of an implementation plan for grade level grouping; and

WHEREAS, on December 13 and 20, 2012, the Board of Education and administration conducted widely advertised interactive public forums seeking input from staff, parents and community members to consider the effects of realigning the district’s elementary buildings as pertains to parents, staff support, transportation, communication, and logistics; and

WHEREAS, it has been presented that reconfiguring the Pleasant Avenue Elementary School building to an Early Learning Center housing pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade students allows for focus on a foundation in reading and math, with a comprehensive approach to screening and diagnostics and early intervention resources; and
 
WHEREAS, it has been presented that reconfiguring the Glebe Street Elementary School building to a Primary Instruction Center housing second and third grades allows for a focus on young readers and critical thinkers, incorporation of multiple subjects and hands-on learning experiences; and

WHEREAS, it has been presented that reconfiguring the Warren Street Elementary School building to an Intermediate Instruction Center housing fourth, fifth and sixth grades allows for the incorporation of a focus on problem solvers, student project-based learning, and band, chorus and art ensembles; and

WHEREAS, the aforesaid reconfigurations will eliminate the long standing issue of singletons (single sections of a grade level); allow for team planning, collaboration between grade levels and enrichment across grade levels; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education and Administration has carefully considered the impact of such realignment on students, staff and the community; the projected costs for minor facility renovations to accommodate such realignment; the costs of instruction, administration, transportation and other support services; and

WHEREAS, it appears the realignment of the Greater Johnstown School District’s elementary buildings provides potential for maximization of educational opportunities for Johnstown students and staff in consideration of current resources; and

WHEREAS, the Superintendent recommends that the Board of Education consider realigning the district’s elementary school buildings to group pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade levels at Pleasant Avenue; group grade levels two and three at Glebe Street; and group grade levels four, five and six at Warren Street;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that, upon motion of Mr. Ward, seconded by Ms. Zajicek, the Board of Education of the Greater Johnstown School District approves the realignment of the district’s elementary school buildings as set forth herein, and directs the administration to commence such steps as are necessary for this plan to be fully implemented for the 2014-2015 school year.

Roll Call Vote:   Mr. Miller - Yes
                       Mr. Beck - Yes
                       Mr. Ward - Yes
                       Ms. Zajicek - Yes
                       Mrs. Clizbe - Yes
                       Ms. Cassidy - Yes
                       Mr. Dougherty - Yes
                       Mrs. Sponnoble - Yes
                       Mr. VanDenburgh - Yes

March 12, 2013 Leader Herald Guest Column
For quite some time, but with greater diligence over the past year and a half, the Greater Johnstown School District Board of Education has investigated the concept of grade level grouping. This approach would realign the district’s elementary schools from traditional neighborhood schools to schools grouped by grade level.

Why would the district explore this concept? As we all know, the economic climate has placed many of New York’s schools in the position of having to cut teachers, increase class sizes, and eliminate programs. Locally, Johnstown has consistently responded by reducing staff, sharing staff across three elementary schools and creating single sections (singletons) within them. We do not want to take opportunities away from our children, we want to provide them with more. However, increased funding for our schools is not anticipated. To that end, Johnstown’s board of education adopted goals that prioritize creative approaches to address current resources while enhancing education to the best extent possible. Grade level grouping is a way to maximize our students’ educational opportunities using available resources.

It should be noted that the concept of grade level grouping is not new. A review of 23 rural and suburban New York counties (mid-Hudson and upstate) found over 104 schools that use elementary grade level configurations other than the traditional K-5 or K-6 models. Each district’s change in structure was made for their own reasons, likely no two exactly the same. In conversations with individuals from other districts, we found factors included trying to create equality for students, scarcity, school closings, and the creation of unique learning communities, to name a few.

At two open public forums, the board of education sought community input about grade level grouping, and looked for solutions to any concerns that were raised, including addressing the anxiety levels of children moving to new schools; breaking up siblings into different schools; providing opportunities for inter-age socialization of students; and the transportation arrangements for children.

Recent letters to the editor regarding the concept of grade level grouping in the Greater Johnstown School District have portrayed negative aspects of adopting such a change. However, since these letters noted either an absence from the district’s community meetings, or referenced only certain articles about the topic, this letter is intended to provide a broader scope.

So, what impact does grade level grouping really have on children? A consistent factor in the board’s deliberation over the past seventeen months has been that research confirms both positive and negative aspects of such grade configurations. A review of twelve recent empirical studies and panel data, which took place in United States schools across rural, suburban and urban populations, revealed the following:

• Grade Span Configurations and/or student transitions: Some studies found negative correlations between grade level school structures and/or student transitions and academic achievement. Others found none. All studies acknowledged that research in this field is limited, as are the findings.
• Teacher Effectiveness & Academic Achievement: Multiple studies identified a direct link between teacher quality and student achievement. Research has determined that teachers benefit from relationships working directly with other, more experienced teachers, and that teacher-teaming, professional learning communities and common planning are integral aspects of raising teacher effectiveness.
• Other points of research: Research found that students entering middle school from a single elementary building perform better than students entering from multiple elementary schools. One study, while not recommending transitions, indicated that there is no significant difference in achievement levels of students who have two school transitions (K-6 to 7-12) or more than two transitions (K-6 to 7-8 to 9-12, for example). Studies advise that if districts include multiple grade transitions, they should attempt to mitigate the impact of such transitions via student orientation, student mentor programs and other activities. Researchers recommend that the configuration of schools should be a local district decision made in consideration of that district’s circumstances.

The Johnstown Board of Education has repeatedly and thoughtfully discussed the positives and negatives of grade level grouping and taken into consideration the same factors mentioned above. Throughout these discussions, the well-being and education of our students and the delivery of instruction in the most efficient and effective manner has been at the center of the conversation.

A grade level grouping plan has been outlined that takes research findings and community concerns into consideration, eliminates singletons, provides student enrichment and returns valuable art and music programs to the district that were cut in the past. A copy of this plan can be found at: http://www.johnstownschools.org/district/2011-12/GradeLevelGrouping.htm.

The decision before the Johnstown Board to adopt grade level grouping or maintain current services is a difficult one. Please know that the board has thoughtfully contemplated the pros and cons, has painstakingly reviewed available research, and is taking into consideration all of the ways – both positive and negative - in which any such decision could impact our students and the community.

As Submitted by Robert DeLilli, Superintendent

Grade Level Grouping - February 2013 Update
Following the conclusion of the December 20, 2012 public forum, the Board of Education directed district administrators to draft an implementation plan for possible restructuring of Johnstown's elementary schools, incorporating information gathered from staff and community members at the two December forums.

Superintendent Robert DeLilli and District Director of Curriculum, Testing & Personnel Trish Kilburn provided the Board of Education with a slide show presentation at the February 7 business meeting, outlining transition phases leading up to a Fall 2014 implementation scenario. Under consideration is a proposal in which Pleasant Avenue would host an early learning center for pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade, while primary instruction for second and third grades would take place at Glebe Street and intermediate instruction for fourth, fifth and sixth grades would occur at Warren Street.  Administrators stressed that a major consideration of the proposal is to provide ample time for the process, including completing minor facilities remodeling in-house (no capital project would be required); boxing and relocating instructional materials; allowing time for celebrations recognizing each building's culture and traditions while looking forward to the future; practicing transportation changes; and addressing any concerns that may arise.

The Board of Education will next meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, 2013 in the Glebe Street Library, at which time they may entertain a resolution adopting implementation of the proposed Grade Level Grouping plan. This meeting will be open to the public.
 

Grade Level Grouping Forums Dec. 13 & 20, 2012
The Board of Education and Administration invite all parents, staff and community members to participate in two evenings of collaborative discussion to help formulate a prospective plan for Grade Level Grouping in the Greater Johnstown School District.

These discussions, scheduled for 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, and from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, will take place in the cafeteria at Johnstown High School. Attendees will settle into focus groups of 8-10 people, each facilitated by a Board of Education member, to discuss strategies for the following topics: special areas (includes art, music, phys ed, special ed, AIS and enrichment); parents & PTA; transportation/busing; communications; staff support; and logistics.

During the December 13 meeting, participants will consider the possibility of placing grades pre-k-1 at Pleasant Avenue; grades 2-3 at Glebe Street and grades 4-6 at Warren Street. At the December 20 meeting, participants will consider the possibility of placing grades pre-k-1 at Pleasant Avenue; grades 2-4 at Warren Street and grades 5-6 at Glebe Street.

Nov. 2012: Board Adopts Resolution to Develop Grade Level Grouping Plan
Following public comment during a special meeting held at Johnstown High School at 6 p.m. on November 29, 2012, Board of Education members voted unanimously to proceed with the development of an implementation plan for Grade Level Grouping. The board will next conduct a workshop at 7 p.m. on December 3 at JHS to discuss plans for designing two public forums to gather additional information from staff and community members.

Sept. 2012: Elementary Restructuring Committee Meeting
Board of Education members assigned to the Elementary Restructuring Committee conducted an open meeting in the high school small cafe at 6 p.m. on September 27, 2012, to review the pros and cons of grade level grouping and to discuss possible next steps in the process. Discussion touched upon the potential benefits of restructuring, which include improved curriculum delivery through focused age group and instruction enrichment, balanced class sizes, and the elimination of singletons. Concerns raised included the loss of neighborhood schools, splitting up siblings and how to make transportation work. Superintendent Robert DeLilli provided several handouts (available below) and the committee expressed interest in moving forward with the help of a neutral facilitator and gaining input from parents and staff. Further discussion is expected to take place at the Board of Education's October 18, 2012 meeting, set for 6 p.m. at Warren Street Elementary School.

Current Elementary Building Configuration Information & Example of Other Possibilities

Teaching Effectiveness and The Conditions That Matter Most
handout reviewed at the September 27, 2012 Elementary Restructuring Committee Meeting

Excerpts from Teaming Up: Linking Collaboration Networks, Collective Efficacy, and Student Achievement
handout reviewed at the September 27, 2012 Elementary Restructuring Committee Meeting

June 2012
Superintendent Robert DeLilli and Board President Paul VanDenburgh, accompanied by Warren Street Principal Scott Ziomek and five members of Johnstown's teaching staff, toured neighboring Broadalbin-Perth School District on May 31, 2012 to observe the layout of their elementary grade level buildings. The attendees split into two groups, with one group visiting The Learning Community for pre-kindergarten through second grade on Bridge Street in Broadalbin, and the other group visiting Broadalbin's Intermediate School for grades three through five on County Highway 107 in Perth. During Johnstown's June 7, 2012 Board of Education meeting, they discussed their impressions from the visit.

May 15, 2012
GJSD Grade Level Grouping FAQ Sheet
(distributed at annual budget vote on May 15, 2012 and made available in all elementary offices)
 

Feb. 2012: Grade Level Grouping Presentation
Community members present at the Board of Education meeting on February 9, 2012 shared in the viewing of a slide show on the topic of Grade Level Grouping for Johnstown's elementary schools. Superintendent Robert DeLilli led the PowerPoint presentation, elaborating on the facts and myths currently circulating over the possibility of realigning the district's elementary buildings to house specific grade levels. Following the presentation, district administrators and board members fielded questions from the floor and addressed concerns raised by those in attendance. Involvement by parents, staff and community members is crucial as Johnstown examines how to make the best use of its available resources in the face of state funding cuts and a rapidly changing educational landscape. Additional discussion sessions examining the potential benefits and possible drawbacks of Grade Level Grouping are planned and will be announced.

Additional Presentations:  February 13, 2012 - 6 p.m.: Glebe Street PTA
                                         March 5, 2012 - 6 p.m.: Pleasant Avenue PTA
                             

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