During recently concluded budget presentations provided to the Board, staff reported that student enrollment per classroom teacher is much lower in AUSD than comparison districts, with the most dramatic variance at middle and high schools. At its April 10 meeting, the Board directed staff to fill classes to contractual class size limits to create more consistent class sizes across the District and find funding to raise employee salaries. In public comments, community members requested the Board to explore the consolidation of schools to achieve two results: a) provide additional funding for salary increases to AUSD employees and b) provide a more equitable and comprehensive secondary program for all students.  At its April 24 meeting, the Board directed the staff to provide a timeline of a process for evaluating consolidation of AUSD high schools.  Staff will present this information on May 22, 2018.

The Encinal Junior & Senior High School modernization project is currently in design phase, and construction has not started.  Tonight’s presentation will focus on various scenarios available to the District to preserve work already done and maintain flexibility during the next 12 months as the District goes through the process of studying a combined high school program.