AGENDA 6:00 p.m. – Introductions 6:05 p.m. – Randy Everett, Founder 6:20 p.m. – Where we’ve been

1. Agenda • AGENDA • 6:00 p.m. – Introductions • 6:05 p.m. – Randy Everett, Founder • 6:20 p.m. – Where we’ve been • 6:45 p.m. – Where we’re going • 7:00 p.m. – Tableside discussions • 8:00 p.m. – Adjourn

2. DISCLAIMER # 1 The number one goal in these expansion discussions: The protection of Liberty Common School

3. DISCLAIMER # 2 The Board of Directors and school administration have taken no position regarding the expansion of this school

4. Expansion? • Liberty Common School has been expanding since its inception • Washington Core Knowledge • Opening of Liberty Common Primary grades • Addition of the upper school • ARTIOS addition • Addition of the track and field • High school?

5. Who we are • Liberty Common School, an authorized charter school in the Poudre School District • A John J. Irwin School of Excellence • National NCLB Blue Ribbon School • National Charter School of the Year • Official Core Knowledge Visitation site • Top 1-5% CSAP scores in the state • Financially strong, academically accountable

6. Where we’ve been 1997 – Opened Liberty Common School 2002 – High School expansion effort 2007 – PSD announced middle school shift 2007 – 9th-grade enrollment concerns spur the Board to contemplate options Spring 2008 – Opened discussions with PSD regarding expansion

7. Where we’ve been • Summer 2008 – Dialogue with PSD • Charter school relations committee - Positive • Correspondence with PSD - Positive • Board discussions, 2 committees formed • Site visits, financial modeling, curriculum discussions, school culture, community • School-wide survey (Spring 2008)

8. School-wide survey results Given the school district’s grade reconfiguration, if you had to decide today, would your child attend 9th grade at Liberty or 9th grade at PSD? • Liberty = 81 • PSD = 14 • Unsure = 3

9. School-wide survey results Are you generally in favor of adding an additional track of K-8 or K-9 to the existing facility on the current site? • Yes = 55 • No = 30 • Unsure = 9

10. School-wide survey results Are you generally in favor of a Liberty Common High School offering, 9th-12th grade? • Yes = 86 • No = 9 • Unsure = 2

11. School-wide survey results If Liberty Common offered a high school, how important would the location of the campus be in your decision to attend? • Low importance = 43 • Neutral = 39 • High importance = 16

12. School-wide survey results How much importance* would you place on having the following regarding high school programs and culture? • 4.39 = Spanish • 4.09 = Technology/drafting/engineering • 4.00 = Business/marketing/management • 3.93 = Sports • 3.90 = Drama/art • 3.85 = Band • 3.77 = Dress code (*as a mean from 1-5)

13. School-wide survey results If Liberty Common offered a high school, what types of curricula or classes would be most important to you? • AP course selections • Math/science focus • Classics/Classical liberal

14. Where we’ve been • As a charter school, we operate under a contract with PSD • An expansion requires an amendment to the contract • On March 31, 2008 we requested approval for expansion: “To that end, Liberty Common School is formally seeking to modify our Charter/Contract to allow for an increase in the size of our school, from two tracks of K-9 to four tracks of K-9, and the addition of high school grades 10-12.”

15. Where we’ve been • PSD responded with the following concerns (May 20, 2008): • Accessibility • Contract issues • Traffic mitigation • Financial considerations for the 2010 bond issue • “Chairman Horton, the Poudre School District Board of Education is prepared to move forward with approval of your request, with the considerations outlined above.”

16. Where we’ve been • We responded by proposing an amendment which would include (June 19, 2008): • An updated mission statement regarding grades 10-12 • Goals, objectives and pupil performance standards • Evidence of adequate support from community • A description of the 10-12 programs • Pupil performance standards and evaluation • Financial plans • Enrollment policies • Impact to PSD schools

17. Where we’ve been • September 2008 • PSD School Board President Larry Neal agreed to accept an amendment proposal as outlined by Liberty Common School • Assured a 60-day negotiation upon receipt

18. Where we’re going A vision for growth

19. Where we’re going Liberty Common School Elementary Kindergarten through 6th grade Add third track starting with K-3 Liberty Common School Junior/Senior High School Near Current school Grades 7-10 August 2010

20. Where we’re going Liberty Common School Junior/Senior High School Near current school Grades 7-12 Liberty Common School Elementary 3 track K-6 210 additional students August 2011 – August 2013

21. Where we’re going • Elementary school considerations • 3 track K-6 school • Move grades 5-6 upstairs • Remodel some classrooms to support new configuration • Hire additional staff to support third track • Build addition to support final growth model

22. Where we’re going • High school considerations • Small school approach • Math/Science magnet • AP courses/college prep • Character/moral development • Combined campus • Shared facilities and staff • Sports offerings (boys and girls): • Soccer, track and field, basketball, volleyball

23. Where we’re going • Next steps • Rewrite 2002 amendment to PSD • Negotiate amendment with PSD • Issue returns to Liberty Common School for final approval • Open Colorado’s finest high school

24. Where we’re going • What can I do? • Support charter schools • Educate yourself • Tell one friend about expansion • Tell all of your friends about expansion • Commit to some level of involvement • Lobby PSD Board, Liberty Board and Liberty parents

25. Where we’re going • What can I do? • Small group/committee work • General administrative support • Budget • Curriculum/Scheduling • Moral/character development • Facilities • Staffing/enrollment • CHSAA, sports

26. Questions?