HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 04 Resolution to Implement a K-8 Model School in Ocoee center of Good Lig
ZIDCO
AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Meeting Date: July 19, 2005
Item #
Reviewed By:
Contact Name: Tonya Elliott Department Director:
Contact Number: x 1061 City Manager:
Subject: K-8 School Resolution to implement a K-8 Model School i coee.
Background Summary:
Many school districts nationwide have made the decision to expand or maintain their use of the K-8 model.
These school districts that have implemented the K-8 school model consistently report increased
performance, fewer discipline problems, and lower absenteeism among K-8 middle grade students. The
Orange County Public School System ("OCPS") currently operates three (3) K-8 schools (Arbor Ridge,
Blankner and Windy Ridge) collectively, the "OCPS K-8 Schools".
The Ocoee Education Commission desires to specifically urge the Orange County School Board(the"Board")
to consider implementing a K-8 school in lieu of any proposed or future elementary or middle schools in the City
of Ocoee. In support of this desire,they have created a K-8 School Resolution and are asking for the City
Commissions approval and support of the resolution.
Issue:
Should the City Commission approve the K-8 School Resolution?
Recommendations
City staff recommends the City Commission approve the Education Commission's K-8 School Resolution.
Attachments:
K-8 School Resolution
Financial Impact: N/A
Type of Item:
O Public Hearing For Clerk's Dept Use:
❑ Ordinance First Reading ❑ Consent Agenda
❑ Ordinance First Reading ❑ Public Hearing
® Resolution 0 Regular Agenda
❑ Commission Approval
❑ Discussion&Direction
® Original Document/Contract Attached for Execution by City Clerk
❑ Original Document/Contract Held by Department for Execution
Reviewed by City Attorney ❑ N/A
Reviewed by Finance Dept. ❑ N/A
Reviewed by ( ) 111 N/A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA,
URGING THE ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD TO
INCLUDE A K-8 SCHOOL MODEL WITHIN THE ORANGE
COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM FRAMEWORK, TO
EVALUATE EACH MIDDLE SCHOOL ZONE, AND TO
INTEGRATE THE K-8 MODEL SO AS TO BEST SERVE
THE MIDDLE GRADE STUDENTS WITHIN EACH ZONE
AND SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE CITY OF OCOEE;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the City Commission of the City of Ocoee desires to specifically urge
the Orange County School Board(the"Board") to consider implementing a K-8 school in lieu of
any proposed or future elementary or middle schools in the City of Ocoee;
WHEREAS,the Orange County Public School System ("OCPS") currently
operates three (3) K-8 schools (Arbor Ridge, Blankner and Windy Ridge) (collectively, the
"OCPS K-8 Schools");
WHEREAS, on the 2004 FCAT, 8th graders at the OCPS K-8 Schools had the
top three (3) scores in the district on FCAT Math, FCAT Reading, and FCAT Writing;
WHEREAS, according to that certain K-8 Schools Report dated February, 2003
prepared by the OCPS Department of Program Services, the OCPS K-8 Schools ranked first,
second, and fourth in having the lowest rates of level 3 and level 4 discipline incidents in the
district's middle grades;
WHEREAS, according to a K-8 Schools Report done by the OCPS Department
of Program Services in February 2003, the OCPS K-8 Schools had the three (3) lowest rates of
absenteeism in the district's middle grades;
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WHEREAS, many school districts nationwide have made the decision to expand
or maintain their use of the K-8 model. These districts include, but are not limited to,
Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Oklahoma City, Boston, Milwaukee,
New Orleans, and New York City;
WHEREAS, other school districts that have implemented the K-8 school model
consistently report increased performance, fewer discipline problems, and lower absenteeism
among K-8 middle grade students;
WHEREAS, K-8 schools are able to more effectively implement exemplary
middle grade programs, according to top educational researcher, Dr. David Hough, Acting Dean
of the College of Education at Southwest Missouri State University;
WHEREAS, OCPS currently does not support a K-8 model, and the Board has no
plans to implement more K-8 schools within the district;
WHEREAS,the City Commission of the City of Ocoee desires to urge the Board to
modify the approved DeJong Educational Framework to include as part of OCPS a K-8 school
model in addition to the three(3) existing models for elementary,middle, and high schools;
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Ocoee desires to urge the Board
to evaluate each middle school zone, and integrate the K-8 model so as to best serve the middle
grade students within each zone, either by complementing the existing middle school or by
replacing the middle school; and
WHEREAS, the Ocoee Education Commission held a regular meeting on
January 10, 2005, during which it voted to endorse this Resolution and urge its adoption by the
City Commission of the City of Ocoee.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF OCOEE,FLORIDA,AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Authority. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee has the
authority to adopt this Resolution pursuant to Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of
Florida and Chapter 166, Florida Statutes.
SECTION 2. K-8 Model. The City Commission of the City of Ocoee urges the
Board to modify the approved DeJong Educational Framework to include as part of the OCPS a
K-8 model, in addition to the three (3) existing models for elementary, middle, and high schools;
SECTION 3. Evaluation and Implementation. The City Commission for the
City of Ocoee urges the Board to evaluate each middle school zone, and integrate the K-8 model
so as to best serve the middle grade students within each zone, either by complementing the
existing middle school or by replacing the middle school.
SECTION 4. Implementation in Ocoee. The City Commission for the City of
Ocoee specifically urges the Board to consider implementing the K-8 model in lieu of any
proposed or future elementary or middle schools in the City of Ocoee so as to best serve the
elementary and middle grade students of the City of Ocoee.
SECTION 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase
or portion of this Resolution is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent
provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion hereto.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon passage and adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of , 2005.
APPROVED:
ATTEST: CITY OF OCOEE,FLORIDA
Beth Eikenberry, City Clerk S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
(SEAL)
APPROVED BY THE OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION ON THE ABOVE DATE
UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO.
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY
BY THE CITY OF OCOEE,FLORIDA;
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
this day of , 2005.
FOLEY& LARDNER LLP
By:
City Attorney
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