Welcome

1. Welcome Copeland Community Meeting October 18, 2004

2. Copeland Elementary School • An Honor School of Excellence with 90.6% of students at or above grade level; met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) • A community school with a diverse population that focuses on the individual needs of students • A highly qualified staff provides clean facilities with adequate heat, air, and lighting.

3. Copeland Elementary School • Averaging 25 community and business volunteers per month, donating time to work with students • K-2 reading programs such as Waterford, First Steps, and Second Steps in place

4. Copeland Elementary School • School built in 1979 and 1997 for 513 students • Current enrollment = 556

5. Copeland Elementary School • Strain on overall infrastructure: • Cafeteria: Lunch begins at 10:50 a.m. and ends at 1:03 p.m. • ELL and EC teachers share classroom space for instruction.

6. Copeland Elementary School • State-mandated class size reductions have increased the need for additional classroom space. • 6 Mobile units • No restroom facilities • Enter/exit several times per day • Wireless Internet unstable with no access to Accelerated Reader and math programs; none have cable television • Space allows for only one computer per mobile classroom as opposed to an average of four computers in regular classrooms.

7. Copeland Elementary School • Parking and traffic issues are less than ideal with most teachers parking off campus • Traffic lines extend to approximately 200 yards as morning and afternoon car riders arrive and leave. • Office space is limited. The school nurse works from a closet, and the instructional specialist works from a corner in the teacher workroom.

8. Central Middle School • Honor School of Excellence with 90.7% of students at or above grade level • Met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) • Recognized as a Piedmont Consortium Signature School

9. Central Middle School • Community and business volunteers donated 3,135 hours to assist students in 2003-2004. • Highly qualified teachers and teaching assistants work with students daily.

10. Central Middle School • School built in 1990 for 524 students • Current enrollment = 619

11. Central Middle School • Overcrowded classrooms with 26 or more per classroom • Storage and teacher workrooms have been converted to classrooms • Seven (7) mobile units: • Students enter/exit several times per day • Wireless Internet unstable

12. Central Middle School • Strain on overall infrastructure: • Cafeteria: Lunch begins at 10:40 a.m. and ends at 1:10 p.m.; seating extends into the hallway. • Gymnasium: Students sit on the floor during assemblies due to seating limitations.

13. Central Middle School Projected enrollment in 2009-2010 = 724 based on current rate of growth

14. Surry Central High School • School of Distinction for 3 consecutive years with 84.8% of students at or above grade level • Met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) • Parent safety rating = 97% safe

15. Surry Central High School • Highly qualified teachers and teaching assistants • Wachovia state standings: #3 in North Carolina (highest of all area high schools)

16. Surry Central High School • SCHS built in 1960 with an additional science wing in 2000 • Capacity of 930 • Current student enrollment = 852

17. Surry Central High School • Average class size = 28 students • Cafeteria: 3 lunch periods beginning at 11:05 a.m. and ending at 1:05 p.m.; seating capacity = 244/period with a maximum of 732 total) • Physical Education, technology, and health occupations teachers share instructional space

18. Surry Central High School • Guidance area (total size of 1 classroom) is shared by 2 school counselors, 1 clerical staff member, and 1 SIMS Data Manager. • QZAB renovations (summer 2004) upgraded student restroom facilities and will provide new windows.

19. Surry Central High School Projected school enrollment 2009-2010 based on current rate of growth = 957

20. Community Voices • Gym roof at Copeland Elementary leaks inhibiting activities during inclement weather • Problems with Internet capabilities in mobile units; wireless not effective • Propose some type of tax increase where everyone can share in funding • Possibility of cutting costs to bear building expenses

21. Community Voices • Explore year-round schools to prevent overcrowding • Merging the three Surry County School Systems would be a positive restructure for the county. Redistricting makes sense. • The citizens of Surry County (county system) have not had the opportunity to pay a supplemental tax to support education.

22. Community Voices • A small percentage of Surry County’s citizens are land owners and therefore do not share in property tax increase • Expenses for facilities should be shared by all citizens • Many instructional questions exist regarding year-round education • Decisions for funding should be as fair to all citizens as possible

23. Community Voices • Land is a problem if expansion at Copeland Elementary is a consideration. • Small community school support would be weakened if school facilities continue to expand. • “In-between” schools are needed to keep the small community schools in tact. (e.g. an additional elementary school between Copeland and Dobson)

24. Community Voices • Issues regarding year-round school should be explored in-depth before implementation is considered. • Before property tax increase will be supported, merger must take place. • Explore if it would be cost effective to construct buildings the total size of existing mobile units instead of continuing to purchase mobile units.

25. Community Voices • The lack of restroom facilities create additional scheduling requirements for the staff. • More functional facilities are needed as opposed to those with a more decorative appearance. • Explore options for 2-story buildings instead of the traditional 1-story schools recently built.

26. Notes from all community meetings, including this evening’s meeting, may be accessed on the school system’s webpage at www.surry.k12.nc.us in the Community folder.