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Travis Unified outlines 'hybrid' plan to move sixth graders to Golden West, shows renderings and timeline
Summary
District staff presented a 'hybrid' chord model to move the full sixth grade to Golden West next fall, showed renderings and described DSA review, bond/developer‑fee funding and a December contract schedule; trustees asked about PE, lunch logistics, safety setbacks and staffing.
District administrators presented a detailed plan to consolidate the district’s sixth grade at Golden West beginning next fall under a "hybrid" or "chord" model that blends elementary sheltering with middle‑school electives.
Nick, who led the presentation, said the model pairs teachers into 'chords' so students have the same teacher for two daily periods (for example math+science with Mr. Newton and ELA+social studies with Miss Atwood). The approach reduces the number of distinct teachers a sixth grader sees each day (from roughly six to three) while preserving access to electives on the larger campus; PE will be taught by a chord teacher, and the district plans split lunches, additional serving lines and dedicated sixth‑grade spaces.
Staff showed site renderings and told the board that the Vanden High football field/track replacement will require a Division of State Architect (DSA) review and that the Golden West buildings are being procured under lease‑leaseback and funded from developer fees (Fund 25), not the general operating fund. "This comes out of our developer fee fund... and has absolutely no impact whatsoever on our general fund operating budget," a district presenter said.
Trustees asked about several practical issues: whether PE taught by non‑PE credentialed chord teachers would meet family expectations; how lunch and club access would work for sixth graders; proximity of new classrooms to an active street and whether higher‑grade fencing or setbacks might be required; and the timeline for construction and contractor selection. Gabe (facilities/finance) and site administrators said DSA requirements set setbacks and that staff will confirm fence/roadway safety in final plans. Staff anticipated bids to close in late November, a contract to the board in December and in‑summer construction to open for the next school year.
Next steps: staff will return in December with contract documents and renderings for approval, continue DSA engagement and work with principals to identify staff who will transfer to the sixth grade program and any additional support staff needed for the new configuration.
