Task Force Begins Evaluating Grade Configurations

At its July 15 meeting, the Point Proud Schools 2040 Task Force began evaluating possible grade configurations for the District’s schools.

Members considered the District’s current K–6, 7–9 and 10–12 structure alongside several alternatives, with three top vote getters discussed in detail. A preliminary ranking showed strong interest in continuing to explore a K–5, 6–8 and 9–12 configuration, referred to as Option C at the meeting.

This was an early evaluation, not a final recommendation. Members identified questions that still need to be answered about costs, school capacity, building improvements, transportation, staffing, attendance boundaries and potential school consolidation that could be paired with such a shift.

What did the Task Force review?

The meeting included:

• Review of key take-aways from prior presentations on enrollment, building conditions, and other matters
• A presentation about SPASH programming, operations and student opportunities–and possible impacts if 9th graders were relocated there 
• Exploration of a range of current and alternative grade configurations, including the potential educational, family, financial and facility impacts of each configuration

Following an initial review of six possible alternatives, members selected three for deeper discussion alongside the District’s current structure:

• Current: K–6, 7–9, 10–12
• Option A: K–5, 6–7, 8–9, 10–12
• Option B: K–6, 7–8, 9–12
• Option C: K–5, 6–8, 9–12

Members evaluated each option using the Task Force’s four criteria:

1. Maintained or enhanced student opportunities
2. Manageable student and family impacts
3. Fiscal responsibility
4. Efficient building utilization

What themes emerged?

The current configuration minimizes disruption but does not resolve long-term concerns.

Members recognized that keeping the current structure would be familiar to students, families and staff. However, many questioned whether it would adequately address declining enrollment, underused buildings, ongoing maintenance costs or improving the experience of sixth- and ninth-grade students.

Option A has some merits but raised concerns about additional transitions.

Some members saw potential benefits in grouping students into smaller developmental ranges and expanding opportunities for sixth graders. The most common concerns were the number of school transitions, families having children in more buildings, transportation complexity and whether the option would meaningfully improve facility utilization.

Option B could improve the ninth-grade experience but may create new capacity challenges.

Member identified benefits included ninth graders fully integrated in high school programming, activities and culture. Concerns focused on the cost and space needs at SPASH, underuse of the two junior high buildings and whether leaving sixth grade in elementary schools best serves that group.

Option C received the strongest preliminary support by a considerable margin.

Members liked that Option C would organize schools as K–5, 6–8 and 9–12, a structure commonly used by other Wisconsin school districts. Members identified benefits for sixth- and ninth-grade students, curriculum alignment, co-curricular access and overall building use improvements. Concerns focused on space and possible  investment at SPASH, changes to elementary schools, attendance boundary adjustments and possible building consolidation.

What did the preliminary ranking show?

At the end of the meeting, each member was individually asked to rank the four potential configurations with 1 being ‘most preferred’ and 4 being ‘least preferred’.

Option C was ranked first by 32 Task Force members and received an average preliminary rank of 1.2.  The following are the rankings of the options in order:

The ranking represents members’ thinking at this point in the process. It is not a recommendation or final decision.

What questions are Task Force members asking?

Members requested additional information about:

• Improvements and costs to accommodate ninth grade at SPASH
• The relationship between grade configuration and building consolidation
• Whether changes should be phased over several years
• How student opportunities would be maintained during any transition

What happens next?

At its next meeting on August 5, the Task Force is expected to begin exploring the potential for building consolidation as an approach to address declining enrollment, excess capacity and fiscal constraints.

No decisions have been made. The Task Force will continue reviewing information before developing recommendations for the School Board by the end of the year.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting Agenda
• Presentation
• Meeting 4 Outcomes