SUBMITTED BY TIM FAHLEN - OPTION H?

I think the following is the best option of all – care to reply to it with feedback?

Option H, or a modified version of it:

DHS 9-12
DVHS 9-12 at Harper or remain next to DHS?
Harper becomes new home to DVHS or another high school?
Holmes and Emerson Middle Schools 7-8 only
DSIS to Harper/Holmes/or Emerson?
District offices to Harper or Valley Oak?


Alright, I too believe that 9-12 is good for the high school, especially for programs.

DaVinci, with the addition of a 9th grade class, could use a science classroom at Davis High, or if they move to Harper, may use a science classroom (won’t have to spend $384,200 on a science portable) there that meets high school science lab specs.

If DaVinci remains next to DHS, then boundaries should be drawn so that there are close to equal numbers at DHS/DaVinci and Harper High School. My guess is that this would be too expensive in terms of teachers; maybe the two high schools would be too under populated for the 2008/2009 school year.

Alternatively, if DaVinci 9-12 moves to Harper, it can grow and potentially become a second traditional high school in the future, when DHS gets too big. Adding DSIS and/or the district offices to Harper (or any secondary school to reduce an administrator) saves $120,000, the cost of one site administrator, and it frees up the current district office buildings.

Holmes and Emerson should become 7th and 8th grade middle schools only. Among the current secondary schools, they are the best geographically situated ones (Holmes and Harper are too close to each other with respect to how far West Davis students are to Holmes) in town, concerning the safety of 12 and 13 year old children. With about 675 students at each of the two middle schools, the enrollment will be proper for the preservation of electives. And, when it’s most appropriate and affordable, Emerson can be repaired and modernized.

Lastly, with DSIS and the district offices moved, that property can be sold soon or sometime in the future.

This option seems to be the most cost effective and it would seem to meet the needs of the most community members in the long term.