This past year the Hope community has faced tremendous challenges that none of us could have imagined. Yet in spite of the pandemic, we survived distance learning and even saw the recent graduation of our first eighth grade class. Now, more than ever, we can see the school’s success and positive impact on the entire school community.
While our growth and success is a remarkable accomplishment, this growth also raises significant space constraints and other challenges related to serving our growing student population. As members of the board, we apologize for the lack of clarity regarding our middle school capacity and the surprise many families felt when they heard a lottery would potentially be implemented. We appreciate that this news was understandably disappointing and a shock to many parents who believed they were guaranteed a spot through middle school. Although the school just finished its eighth year in operation, we have only had the middle school for three years - and we continue to discover new areas where we need to learn, adapt, and change. The board wishes very much that we could welcome each and every student that desires a home at HCCS middle school. However, our current building was only designed to accommodate single classes of sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, a limitation we realize was not communicated well. While current circumstances will not sustain ongoing double middle school classes, double middle school classes without a lottery may be an option should future capacity and resources allow.
We are genuinely sorry for any miscommunications and the lack of clear communication on this topic. The impacts of prior mistakes and insufficient communication are not lost on the Board. We hear and empathize with the parents who have expressed surprise, disappointment and uncertainty and we are learning from our mistakes. Please know that we are committed to raising more awareness about long-term planning and board decisions.
At the June 17, 2020 board meeting, the Board carefully weighed the feedback from the community in light of our current capacity and resources and have decided to pursue a modified version of Option 1 (first presented on 6/9/20 and modified on 6/17/20)::
Motion: Approve an exemption from the middle school lottery for students who will be entering 6th grade in the 2021/2022 school year (ie current fourth graders). School leadership will determine a method to accommodate two 6th grade classes, or if attrition reduces the enrollment to a manageable amount, to one 6th grade class. Additionally school leadership will communicate to all current families (via email) and future families (via tours, open houses, in the family handbook, and on our website) that absent a change in capacity, the school’s intention is to have one middle school class per grade and the school will establish a lottery if we have more students express interest in attending than we can accommodate in a single class. If the school later determines that capacity and resources exist to support double middle school classes, then this motion does not preclude the school from later determining that a lottery is not necessary.
Please note that if there is sufficient enrollment to justify two sixth grade classes in 2021/2022, program modifications will be needed in the middle school that may include reductions or possible elimination of electives in order to accommodate the extra class. Any such changes will be communicated to middle school families as enrollment and schedules are finalized.
MOTION: Proceed with planning to add modulars that can accommodate two classrooms with a target for occupancy of fall 2021. The board directs school leadership to establish by the August 2020 Board Meeting a property scoping committee that includes at a minimum members with project manager/construction/building/architecture experience and also include a board representative. This committee will deliver a proposal for the board to approve not to exceed $200,000 for full completion (including building, site preparation, permits, etc); establish milestones to track completion; oversee construction progress, and provide a monthly progress report to the board. If approved, all construction expenses must be budgeted and approved by the board in advance of any expenditure. Should the committee find the expansion infeasible, they have the ability to explore and recommend alternatives for board consideration and approval.
While we understand that no decision is perfect, we have tried our absolute best to consider the perspectives of parents, staff, and school leadership and understand the gravity of our decision.
This decision reflects our commitment to the mission of global fluency while also making the best use of the school’s resources and still allowing for potential growth.
Thank you for your continued support of Hope Chinese Charter School. We truly appreciate you and your contributions to the Hope community.
