May 21, 2019 

Good afternoon,

I want to provide the community with an update on the Reimagining Cranford Public Schools survey.

As you know, we started the conversation with the community approximately 7 months ago and it has been a collaborative process, shaped largely by the community, as it should be. We have held several meetings, provided many presentations, and engaged in dialogue about what we as a community may want to do to enhance the school district. This initial conversation culminated in a survey which ended last week.  I am glad this is the pathway we took. There are over 50 Districts that went out for a referendum within the past year and my understanding is that only one district administered a survey to get public opinion in advance of a referendum. We are representatives and it is so important that we collaborate and partner with the community and we greatly appreciate all who have engaged in this conversation.

We are currently working with Qualtrics to analyze the data and they will provide a link for us to send out the results to the community sometime in June.  However, we want to provide you with some of the preliminary takeaways:

• 1,937 participants completed the survey. Data will need to be scrubbed for duplications, but at the moment, it looks like there are no more than about 92 duplicates --more than one submission from an individual household (by scrubbing, I mean that we will contact those people where there was more than one submission per household to find out which submission should be counted).   It does not appear that scrubbing this data will result in any substantial change.

• The proposed enhancements received a lot of support from the community and citizens would like to vote on these proposed enhancements separately from any potential plan.

• Update science labs (CHS)

• Modernize library / multi-media centers to support 21st Century STEM programs

• Upgrade technology

• Enhance performing arts spaces

• Enhance accessibility options

• Install AC in gyms, cafeterias, and performing arts spaces

• Upgrade electrical service (all schools except for WAS which has already been upgraded)

• Replace interior doors including hardware

• Paving, masonry and concrete repairs

• Window replacements

• The following two plans received the most support:

• Plan 8 (Full Day Kindergarten, adds appropriate educational support spaces, four K-5 schools, and two dedicated 6-8 middle schools --one on each side of town)

• Plan 10 (Keep schools as they are currently zoned, adds Full Day Kindergarten, and adds appropriate educational support spaces)  

Both of these plans provide great benefits to the school system and neither of them includes additional busing. 

Again, we will provide a link to the data results in June and also provide you with next steps at that time.  More takeaways will be evident once we have more time to look into the data. In June, it is likely that we will suggest getting a townwide committee involved in determining the next steps for these two supported proposed plans as well as the enhancements.

We look forward to continuing the conversation!

Best,

Scott Rubin

Reimagining Cranford Public Schools - Redesigned Website

https://sites.google.com/cranfordschools.org/reimaginingcpsd/home

Over the past several months, the District has been engaging the community in conversation about potentially reimagining the Cranford Public School System.  While we are very excited about the possibility of enhancing our school system and providing greater benefits to students, the District will not move forward with any plan, unless it is supported by the community.  Therefore, we need your feedback to guide any potential next steps.

The District contracted with a third party company, Qualtrics, to help design a survey to obtain your thoughts on the proposed plans.  On or about April 26, 2019, a postcard from the District, explaining how to access the survey, will be sent to every household in Cranford where at least one registered voter resides (there will be one survey submission per household).  

The postcard will also contain a contact number should anyone need technical assistance, including if one needs to fill out a hard copy of the survey or if one has any additional questions and / or concerns.  In addition, the Board of Education office, located at Lincoln Avenue School, will be open at the following times, should anyone need computer access and / or assistance: 5/1, 5/2, 5/7, and 5/9 from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm.   

We have received requests to make information about the proposals more easily accessible on the District’s website.  As a result, we have been working over the past couple of weeks to redesign the Reimagining portion of the website and will unveil the new look on April 23rd. Please visit the website at that time to explore details of the proposals, including why we are having this conversation, FAQs, estimated tax impact, proposed rezoning maps, etc...

Additionally, Board members will hold coffee and conversation meetings on the following dates for anyone who would like to engage in further dialogue about the initiative.

Tuesday, April 23 6:00-8:00 pm - Cafe Teasia

Thursday, April 25 5:00-7:00 pm  - Track 5

Tuesday, April 30 6:00-8:00 pm - Cafe Teasia

Thursday, May 2 5:00-7:00 pm - Track 5

In addition to the above informal conversation dates, please feel free to contact a Board member with any questions you may have.  

Again, be on the lookout for the survey which will be sent on or about Friday, April 26. The survey will close at 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 13. 

The survey results will be shared with the community in the near future and will help guide any potential next steps.  

Your voice matters!  Thanks for engaging in this conversation!  

Best, 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

A strategic planning update was provided

at the February 25 Board Meeting. 

Please see the presentations below. 

We have a lot to be proud of!  

2018 - 2023 Strategic Planning Update Presentation

 Board of Education Meeting - 2.25.19