June 10, 2015 - On June 9, 2015, Mariposa County Unified School District conducted a Town Hall meeting in Greeley Hill.
Greeley Hill Town Hall Meeting - Questions and Answers
1) There are rumors that it will be mandatory for Greeley Hill students to attend Greeley Hill Elementary, rather than LDP. Are these rumors true?
MCUSD is in the process of registering students for the 2015-2016 school year. There has not been a decision made on whether students will be required to enroll in their community school. There are policies that currently exist which govern transfers within the District.
2) Will bussing from Greeley to LDP be eliminated?
We will strive to continue to provide busing to LDP for students who live in Greeley Hill/Coulterville but choose to attend LDP on an approved intra-district transfer. However, IntraDistrict transfers will be approved per Board policy AND only if the necessary number of students enroll in Greeley Hill Elementary to ensure its educational viability and fiscal stability.
3) Some concern was expressed regarding the welfare of students with Grades K through 12 intermingling on one campus.
MCUSD currently operates an identical K-12 model in El Portal. Students in this format have been extremely successful with a combination of supervision and schedule modification to ensure proper safety and collaboration oversight.
4) Is there any guarantee that the school will be open for longer than one year? What are the chances that students will change schools to attend Greeley Hill Elementary, then have to change again?
The District is committed to opening Greeley Hill Elementary and sustaining its viability. The best way to assist in Greeley Hill’s viability is to enroll your child in the school. Attendance is critical to its long lasting sustainability.
5) When (i.e., by what date) will parents be notified whether or not they have a choice of schools (LDP or GH)?
Parents will be notified as soon as we can determine the enrollment for Greeley Hill Elementary.
6) Will there be an open house prior to school starting?
This is an excellent suggestion. This will depend on how soon we can staff the school. If possible, we would encourage an open house prior to the start of the 2015-2016 school year.
7) When will bussing models be known? For some, registration depends on this information.
Once the district can determine the level of service we will be able to provide through enrollment projections, the transportation department will know if a route from GR to LDP will be available. Stops and times will be released late July / early August.
8) Opinion: Some students stayed with the District and began attending LDP. They should now have the choice of what school to attend, rather than being forced into combination classes.
MCUSD will strive to provide choices for families, including Intra-District transfers. We are looking at the possibility of “grandfathering in” current students enrolled in the middle school grades at LDP who wish to remain there, while new students and those in the lower grades would enroll in Greeley Hill beginning now for the 2015-16 school year.
9) Is there an opportunity for a joint venture between the John Muir GeoTourism Center and the Outdoor Education program? Would like to discuss possible grants available.
The Outdoor Education program is a county-wide program which welcomes partnerships with group like the John Muir Geotourism Center. Doug Jensen will continue to organize and facilitate the Outdoor Education program and will be available for contact.
10) The blue van (now at LDP) was purchased and maintained by Greeley – will a well maintained vehicle be provided to the reopened school?
The needs of all school sites are taken into consideration and then vehicles are distributed. This is yet to be determined.
11) Will the items that were moved from CGr to LDP be moved back to Greeley Hill?
The needs of both schools will be taken into consideration and some items may be returned to Greeley. Donations from the community (charter items) will be used at Greeley.
12) Where will the excess funding from CHS be going?
CHS will continue to support the salaries associated with that funding. Any excess is retained for future program use or expansion.
13) Will teachers from the charter school be coming to Greeley Hill Elementary?
Greeley Hill Charter School teachers will have the opportunity to apply for any of the K-8 positions that are open. Interviews are taking place the week of June 1. In addition, a teaching principal will be hired and on site to ensure the smooth start-up and operations of Greeley Hill Elementary, as well as the transition of Coulterville High School to the Greeley Hill campus. The administrator and teaching staff will be credentialed and licensed.
14) Will equipment from the charter school be moved to Greeley Hill Elementary?
Items that belong to the community have been donated to MCUSD for use at Greeley. The donation is slated to be accepted by the school board at the June 2015 board meeting. The charter school retains their inventory, which will not go to MCUSD.
15) What is the goal for the number of teachers?
The goal is to have five teachers to operate Greeley Hill and Coulterville High School. The number of teachers will be dependent on actual enrollment numbers at each grade level and adjustments may be necessary dependent upon actual need.
16) Will it be possible for the community to use the facility?
The facility can be used following the facility use process (used throughout the district). The district and the county are investigating a joint use agreement for the field and playground.
17) Will there be an afterschool program?
We are exploring possible ways to fund and support an after school program for Greeley Hill Elementary. Given the very short timeline for re-opening the school, this is a challenge. After school grant funding deadlines for the 2015-16 school year have already passed.
18) Will there be extra-curricular co-ed programs for volleyball, basketball, and cheer?
We are exploring funding opportunities for these activities. It may be necessary to begin with the basics the first year as we grow the instructional and educational program over time to include a fuller, more enriching experience for students by the second and third years. The district is committed to doing everything possible to ensure a full program for students, while maintaining fiscal solvency to ensure the school remains open.
19) What are the differences between MCUSD and the charter school’s programs? For example, a 4-day vs. a 5-day program, lunch, facilities, 180 days of instruction.
Greeley Hill will operate with the same calendar as all other MCUSD schools - 180 instructional days, 5 days a week. Please refer to the Board adopted 2015-16 school calendar for actual operational days and further details.
20) What kind of technology will be available at Greeley Hill Elementary?
Funds have been allocated to provide the school with technology similar to other MCUSD schools. We are developing a plan for updating the infrastructure needs to support 1:1 devices for teachers and students.
Source:Mariposa County Unified School District
