Staff recommend converting Tri campus from three schools to two; board asked for direction

School Board Chair Kathleen Brown convened an administrative workshop in February 2025 where staff recommended reconfiguring the Tri campus from three schools into two and asked the School Board for direction.

Dr. Melanie Hamblin, senior executive director of elementary schools, told the board the division’s interdepartmental team overwhelmingly recommended creating two pre-K–5 campuses to promote stability, reduce student transitions and allow teachers to provide sustained, individualized support. “Using the pre-K–5 model, our most preferred recommendation allows students to stay in one school, providing stability that supports social and emotional development,” Dr. Hamblin said.

The recommendation is framed by an existing capital allocation: $25,000,000 is currently set aside in the division’s capital improvement plan (CIP) for the Tri campus project, staff said. Staff also presented a second option: a pre-K–1 campus paired with a 2–5 campus, which they described as an alternative that concentrates early-childhood practices while grouping older elementary grades for a stronger academic focus.

The board’s questions focused on implementation details the staff said they will need to return with. Staff identified several next steps before a final decision: an analysis of construction additions and alterations at Diamond Springs and Newtown elementary schools, attendance-zone recommendations from the building utilization committee, and a plan to preserve and honor the legacy of Betty F. Williams. “Mister Freeman and his team will need to do an analysis of the cost of building additions and alterations to both Diamond Springs and Newtown,” Dr. Hamblin said. She added decisions are required on how to capture the Betty F. Williams legacy.

Several board members voiced support but deferred to staff expertise. School Board Member Miss Melnick said she was “ill equipped to answer” which model to choose and asked staff to recommend the best option. “I want the professionals to let me know and why,” Melnick said. Board Member Matt Cummings asked for projected head counts and the staffing impacts given current vacancies; Mr. Cummings also asked about timing for implementation. Matthew Delaney, chief schools officer, said the earliest feasible start would be the 2027 school year if the board gives quick direction, and he cautioned the timeline would be “extremely challenging” to meet.

Dr. Green, who represents District 4, urged that the community’s history be respected and asked that a committee including community members be formed to guide how the Betty F. Williams name and legacy would be preserved. “My request would be, once we know what direction, if we can get some type of committee together that would include community members, to decide how to best honor and preserve Mrs. Williams,” Green said.

No formal vote was taken at the workshop. Staff said they will return to the board with more detailed cost estimates, attendance-zone proposals and an implementation plan and that reconfiguration will come back as an information or action item once the board provides direction.

Next steps: staff will work with the Dawson team (facilities consultants) and central-office departments to develop cost estimates and attendance-zone recommendations and will schedule follow-up presentations for the board.