Alpine Community Network – Alpine CA 91901

*Submitted By George Barnett – January 16, 2019

I attended the January 9, 2019 School Board meeting, and these are my personal thoughts…..

Based on extensive public input and surveying via the ThoughtExchange process, the Superintendent’s Advisory Task Force has formed three Subcommittees to define forward strategic proposals for improving education in Alpine; the High School Subcommittee, the District Marketing Subcommittee and the School Options Subcommittee.

The members of each Subcommittee are listed in the attachment. Members include a selection of District principals, teachers, service & instruction support staff, parents and community members. Among these are; a manufacturing business owner, a technology innovation business owner, a former school superintendent/education innovation expert, and an assistant city manager/head of a city Public Works Department.

The Board’s priorities are also attached. The first three are; improving student achievement; improving educational opportunities for students; and ensuring fiscal responsibilities. In my mind, the balance nine priorities relate to supporting the first three.  Also attached are 9 proposals being evaluated – and explained below:

The High School Subcommittee is looking at four proposals for an Alpine High School – from working with Grossmont UHSD to different charter operations.

The Marketing Subcommittee is looking at a multi-faceted program of promoting our District and its superb programs and unique partnerships; and those marketing ideas can be rolled-out right-a-way.

The School Options Subcommittee is reviewing four proposals for consolidating the AES/BOES grade schools; two proposals for keeping AES independently operated; two proposals for consolidating kindergarten into the grade schools.  These are proposals only, and the Pro’s and Con’s need to be developed.  Part of the theme of consolidation is to better align curriculum from grade to grade and from grade school to middle school.  One idea is to be able to offer an education Pathway that is unique to, and better than, other school districts.  And, a proposal to house an Alpine high school within existing infrastructure is part of this.

Each Subcommittee will be developing the Pro’s and Con’s of every proposal, and will present final thoughts and information to the School Board for review, comment and top level prioritization. Of course, each Subcommittee will also determine the Pro’s and Con’s of maintaining the status quo.  That is, doing nothing.

During the period February 13 to March 12, community engagement and feedback will be sought. At the March 13th Board meeting, final Subcommittee recommendations will be presented. The Board may select and approve specific strategies and plans to transform our District for a strong academic future.

If approved, work towards achieving that future would then begin immediately.  It is likely that a transformation might take the entire 2019-2020 school year.  That seems to imply that any high school option could include an opening for the fall of the 2020-2021 school year.

Watch for District notices on this transformation of education in Alpine.