Editor's Note: These documents appear in their original form, including all typographical and grammatical errors in the original documents. They have not been edited by WashingtonPost.com.
Read the corrections issued on March 27.
See the rationale for closing:
Go to the list of proposed school closings.
Go to the list of detailed physical conditions of each school.
Go to the D.C. schools resources page.
Go to Washington World
Reasons for School Closings
From the D.C. Public School AdministrationWednesday, March 19, 1997
To jump to the rationale for closing a particular school, click on the school's name at left.
SCHOOL: BLOW-PIERCE ES
BUILT: 1969
WARD: 6
AGE: 28 Years
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that Blow-Pierce ES is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for Blow ES is 337 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 536 students, which represents a 25% reduction of capacity based on a design capacity of 712 students. Based on this information and current information from the office of the Chief Academic Officer, the program utilization rate at Blow is 63% with 199 vacant seats. If design capacity were used, the utilization rate would be 47% with 375 vacant seats. Both the program utilization and design utilization are below the criteria standard of 65%.
Due to the geographic location, the students from Blow can be absorbed by Gibbs ES, which is currently operating at 62% of program capacity and Miner ES, which is currently operating at 74% of program Capacity. The combined total of vacant seats at these schools is 408 seats.
From 1980 to 1990, the surrounding area in Census Tracts 79.3 and 70.1 experienced a decline in total population of about 16%, a decline in the number of elementary school age children of about 20%, and a slight decline in housing units. Between 1990 and 1995, the number of births declined by -42% in Census Tract 79.3, and by -16% in Census Tract 79.1. The nearby Census Tract 80.2 experienced a slight increase in population and housing units from 1980 to 1990, but saw a decline in the number of births from 1990 to 1995 of -43%, greater then the citywide average of -24%. These trends suggest that the number of school age children in the area of Blow ES will most likely decline over the next several years.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 5, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Blow ES facility is $3,400,000.00. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $1,600,500.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for this property. The revenue potential for the Blow Pierce property is not valued at this time due to the lack of a quantifiable market.
SCHOOL: DOUGLASS
BUILT: 1952
WARD: 8
AGE: 45 Years
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that Douglass JHS is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for Douglass JHS is 351 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 801 students. Based on this information and current information for the office of the Chief Academic Officer, the program utilization rate at Douglass JHS is 43.8% with 450 vacant seats. At the secondary level, program capacity and design capacity are the same number. The program/design utilization is below the criteria standard of 65%.
Due to the geographic location, Johnson JHS, which is currently operating at 28% of program capacity and has 916 vacant seats, can absorb the students from Douglass.
The Census Tracts around Douglass include 74.6, 74.7, 74.1, and 75.1. Population loss between 1980 and 1990 in these tracts varied from -11% to -33%. The decline in the number of school-age children varied from -22% to -35%. There was a slight decline in housing units. From 1990 to 1995, the number of births declined substantially, from -15% in tract 74.1, to -40% in tract 75.1. These trends suggest a substantial decline in the number of children in the area over the next several years.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 5, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Douglass JHS facility is $5,600,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $2,481,209.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate Signage must be provided.
The Douglass JHS property will be kept in the inventory for swing space and will be renovated to eliminate all potential fire code violations.
SCHOOL: Evans
BUILT: 1964
WARD: 7
AGE: 33
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that Evans MS is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for Evans MS is 179 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 783 students. Based on this information, the program/design utilization rate at Evans MS is 23% with 604 vacant seats. At the secondary level program capacity and design capacity are the same. The program/design utilization is below the criteria standard of 65%.
Because of geographic location and proximity to Miller MS, which is currently operating at 21% with 683 vacant seats, Evans can absorb the students from Kelly Miller MS. The existing Kelly Miller facility will be razed and a new state of the art Middle School will be constructed on the site to accommodate the students from Kelly Miller and Evans Middle Schools.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on February 19, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Miller MS facility is $4,500,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The estimated potential revenue of Evans is $720,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $3,363,600.
The Miller and Evans Middle School area includes census tracts 78.4, 78.3, 78.8, and 99.3. These four tracts experienced losses of population from 1980 to 1990 ranging from -7% to -19%. The number of school-age children declined by -14% to -37% over these years. The number of housing units decreased by -3% to -6%. From em to 1995, births declined by -28%, -48%, -31% and -35% in these four tracts. These trends suggest a continued substantial decline in school-age children in this area over the nest several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
The existing Kelly Miller facility will be razed and a new state of the art Middle School will be constructed on the site to accommodate the students from Kelly Miller and Evans Middle Schools.
SCHOOL: HARRISON ES
BUILT: 1890
WARD: 1
AGE: 107 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Composition of Student Population -Including Number of Out-Of Boundary Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Due to the geographic location and composition of the building population being 4th and 5th graders only the students from Harrison can be absorbed by Cleveland ES, which is currently operating at 104% of program capacity and at 83% of design capacity and Meyer ES, which is currently operating at 98% of program capacity and at 83% of design capacity. The recommendation is that Cleveland and Meyer be reconfigured to serve 4th and 5th grade. Therefore, these schools would retain their current 3rd grade enrollment as 4th graders for SY 97-98. Based on design capacity Cleveland and Meyer should have 192 vacant seats. The current 5th grade enrollment at Harrison will be absorbed as 6th graders at Garnet-Patterson MS in accordance with the current Tri-School Academy concept.
Harrison is paired with Cleveland and Meyer, serving the fourth and fifth grades while Cleveland serves Pre-School through third grades and Meyer serves Pre-school through third grade. The neighboring Census tracts include 44, 43, 36 and 45. Tracts 44 and 36 experienced declines in population, housing units, and number of school-age children from 1980 - 1990. Tract 43 saw a 6% increase in population, an 11% increase in school-age children, and a 10% increase in the number of housing units during this period. However, from 1990 to 1995, all these tracts experienced a decline in the number of births: -12% in tract 43, -27% in tract 44, -40% in tract 36, and -51% in tract 4S. These sharp declines in the number of children being born in the area around Harrison suggest there will be a substantial decline in the number of school-age children over the next several years in this area.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 3, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Harrison ES facility is $3,400,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $399,000.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Requests for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for the Harrison ES property. The estimated revenue for this property is $750,000.
SCHOOL: HEARST ES
BUILT: 1932
WARD: 3
AGE: 65 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Composition of Student Population -- Including Number of Out-Of-Boundary, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Hearst ES reported the 1996-1997 Official Membership as 165 students of which 121 accounts for 73% of the total building population.
Eaton ES which currently has 435 and appears operating at 125% of program capacity has twelve rooms identified as resource rooms and have no capacity assigned. Six of the twelve resource rooms are considered as "flexible"; therefore Eaton could most likely absorb the forty-four (44) "in-boundary" students. Preliminary analysis of the address of the students enrolled at Hearst indicates that the majority of the 121 "out-of-boundary" students reside in Ward 4. Consequently we are proposing that DCPS establish an early childhood demonstration program in Ward 4. A potential site for the establishment of such a program is Whittier ES which is currently operating at 74% of program capacity with 148 vacant seats and at 64% design capacity with 236 vacant seats.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 4, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Hearst ES facility is $1,600,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions. The "Estimated Value" of Hearst ES is $1,890,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $837,012.
Hearst is an early childhood demonstration program serving Prekindergarten through 3rd grade. As such, it has a large number of "out-of boundary students". The area around Hearst includes Census Tracts 6, 12, and 10.2. These tracts experienced a mixture of growth and decline for 1980 to 1990, with tracts 6 and 10.2 showing increased total population, and all three tracts showing an increase in housing units. Tracts 6 and 10 lost school-age children, while tract 10.2 saw a substantial increase in school-age children. Between 1990 and 1995, births declined by -37% and -44% in tracts 6 and 10.2, and increased by 6% in tract 12. These trends suggest that the number of school-age children in the area over the nest several years is likely to decline.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for the Hearst ES property. The estimated revenue potential for this property is $1,890,000.
SCHOOL: KEENE ES
BUILT: 1934
WARD: 4
AGE: 63 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Proximity to Other School, Projected Demographics, Public Transportation, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
The SY 1996-19097 Official Membership for Keene ES is 365 students. The facility is currently operating at 93.1% of program capacity with 27 vacant seats and 77% of design capacity with 107 vacant seats.
Due to geographic location and proximity to Lasalle ES, which is currently operating at 82% with 98 vacant seats and at 63% design capacity with 258 vacant seats, and Rudolph ES which is currently operating at 78% of program capacity with 135 vacant seats and at 65% design capacity with 259 vacant seats, Lasalle ES and Rudolph ES can absorb the students from Keene.
Because students now at Keene may have to cross major roads to attend Lasalle and Rudolph, (Riggs, Road, South Dakota Avenue, and North Capitol Street), buses will be provided for one (1) year, SY 1997-1998.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 4, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Keene ES facility is $2,800,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions. The "Estimated Value" of Keene ES is $1,050,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $748,726.
The Census Tracts around Keene include 95.8, 95.5, 95.7, and 21.2. Between 1980 and 1990, these tracts lost about 10% of their population and 20% of their school-age children, even though the number of housing units stayed about the same. From 1990 to 1995, the number of births declined by -90%, -49%, and -37% in tracts 95.8, 95.5, and 95.7, and by only -1% in tract 21.2. These trends suggest a substantial decline in the number of school-age children around Keene over the nest several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for the Keene ES property. The estimated revenue potential for this property is $1,050,000.
SCHOOL: LEWIS ES
BUILT: 1962
WARD: 1
AGE: 35 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Age and Major Modernization ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that Lewis ES is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for Lewis ES is 267 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 424 students which represents a 10% reduction of capacity based on a design capacity of 472 students. . Based on this information, the program utilization rate at Lewis ES is 63% with 157 vacant seats. If design capacity were used, the utilization rate would 57% with 205 vacant seats
Due to the geographic location and the close proximity to Gage Eckington ES, which is currently operating at 88% of program capacity with 51 vacant seats and, 75% of design capacity 127 vacant. Seats. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report also indicates that Gage Eckington has nine resources rooms which have no capacity assigned. If capacity were assigned to those rooms and the 70 out-of-boundary students at Gage Eckington return to their neighborhood school, Gage Eckington ES can to absorb the students from Lewis.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 23, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Lewis ES facility is $4,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The 'estimated value" of Lewis ES is $1, 350,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $2,207,025.
The neighboring Census Tracts are 33.1 and 34. Total Population declined by -15.8% and -4.7%, respectively, from 1980 to 1990, although the number of housing units remained about the same. The number of school-age children declined by -13% in tract 33.1 and by -30% in tract 34 during this decade. From 1990 to 1995, the area witnessed a decline in the number of births, by -39% in tract 33.1 and -24% in tract 34. This suggests a continuing decline in the number of school-age children in this area over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for the Lewis ES Property. The estimated revenue potential for this property is $1,050,000.
SCHOOL: MCGOGNEY ES
BUILT: 1966
WARD: 8
AGE: 31 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Due to the geographic location and the close Proximity to Green ES, which is currently operating at 60% of program capacity and has 241 vacant seats and 52% of design capacity and 341 vacant seats, and M.C. Terrell ES, which is currently operating at 78% of program capacity and has 102 vacant seats and 73% of design capacity and has 134 vacant seats, the 489 students at McGogney will be absorbed into Green ES and M. C. Terrell ES.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 6, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for reDair of the McGogney ES facility is $3,800,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environment conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $3,372,008.
The area around McGogney includes Census Tracts 73.4, 97, and 988.4. The trends are somewhat mixed. Total population between 1980 and 1990 rose by about 10% and 14% in tracts 73.4 and 98.4, and declined by about -3% in tract 97. Housing units increased in all three tracks by 7 - 15%. The number of school-age children declined by -2% and -19% in tracts 73.4 and 97, and increased by 5% in tract 98.4. From 1990 to 1995, births declined by -24% and -46% in tracts 73.4 and 97, and increased slightly, by 2.8%, in tract 98.4. These trends suggest a decline in schoolage children in tracts 73.4 and 97, and a relatively stable number of children in tract 98.4.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate Signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for this property. The revenue potential for this property is not valued at this time due to lack of a quantifiable market.
SCHOOL: MCKINLEY SHS
BUILT: 1928
WARD: 5
AGE: 69 Years
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that McKinley SHS is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for McKinley SHS is 664 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 1491 students. Based on this information, the program utilization rate at McKinley SHS is 45%% with 827 vacant seats of which 195 seats are currently utilized by the Langley Academy @ McKinley. When the 195 students attending the Langley Academy are combined with the McKinley population the enrollment increases to 859 students. If 859 students were used to represent the enrollment at Mckinley, the utilization rate would be 58% with 632 vacant seats. At the secondary level program capacity and design capacity are the same. The program/design utilization is below the criteria standard of 65%.
The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity for Cardozo SHS be set at 1563 students. The SY 1996-1997 Official Membership for Cardozo SHS is 962. The current operating utilization rate for Cardozo is 62% with 601 vacant seats. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity for Roosevelt SHS be set at 1368. The SY 1996-1996 Official Membership for Roosevelt is 808. The current operating utilization rate for Roosevelt is 60% and has 560 vacant seats. The McKinley SHS students be absorbed by Cardozo and Roosevelt Senior High Schools. R H. TERRELL JHS, which is currently operating at 34% of capacity and has 488 vacant seats, will absorb the 195 students attending the Langley Academy @ McKinley.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 6, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the McKinley facility is $8,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $689,665.
Although high schools draw from a wide area of the city and students may choose to attend a high school on a space available basis, a comprehensive high school normally attracts the majority of its' students from the surrounding area. The Census Tracts around McKinley, 87.1, 87.2, 33.2, 33.1, 92.2, 93.2, 93.1, 91.2, 88.3, and 86, experienced declines in total population, housing, and school-age children between 1980 and 1990. The exception was tract 87.2, which saw a slight increase in population and housing during these years. From 1990 to 1995, the decline in births in these Census Tracts ranged from -2.2% to -47%. These trends suggest that the number of school-age children in the McKinley area will continue to decline over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flashes must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provide.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for this property. The revenue potential for the McKinley property is not valued at this time due to the lack of a quantifiable market.
SCHOOL: KELLY MILLER
WARD: 7
BUILT: 1949
AGE: 48
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that Kelly Miller MS is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for Miller MS is 187 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 870 students. Based on this information, the program/design utilization rate at Miller MS is 21% with 683 vacant seats. At the secondary level program capacity and design capacity are the same. The program/design utilization is below the criteria standard of 65%.
Due to the geographic location and proximity Evans MS, which is currently operating at 23% of program capacity and has 604 vacant seats, can absorb the students from Kelly Miller MS.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 6, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Miller MS facility is $9,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs.
The Miller and Evans Middle School area includes census tracts 78.4, 78.3, 78.8, and 99.3. These four tracts experienced losses of population from 1980 to 1990 ranging from -7% to -19%. The number of school-age children declined by -14% to -37% over these years. The number of housing units decreased by -3% to -6%. From 1990 to 1995, births declined by -28%, -48%, -31% and -35% in these four tracts. These trends suggest a continued substantial decline in school-age children in this area over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
The existing Kelly Miller facility will be razed and a new state of the art Middle School will be constructed on the site to accommodate the students from Kelly Miller and Evans Middle Schools.
SCHOOL: NALLE ES
BUILT: 1950
WARD: 7
AGE: 47 Years
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Projected Demographics, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, our analysis show that Nalle ES is underutilized. The Official SY 1996-1997 Membership for Nalle ES is 360 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 668 students. Based on this information, the program utilization rate at Nalle is 54% with 308 vacant seats. If design capacity were used, the utilization rate would be 47% with 416 vacant seats. Both the program utilization and design utilization are below the criteria standard of 65%.
Due to the geographic location and the proximity to Fletcher Johnson EC, which is currently has 701 students operating at 58% of program capacity and has 518 vacant seats and 47 of design capacity and 811 vacant seats ,the students at Nalle will be absorbed by Fletcher Johnson.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 6, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Nalle ES facility is $3,800,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $1,321,000.
The area around Nalle includes Census Tracts 78.4, 78.3, 78.8, and 99.3. Total population in the area declined by an average of about -13% from 1980 to 1990; the number of school-age children decreased only slightly. From 1990 to 1995, the number of births declined by -6%, -30%, and -41% in these three tracts. Given these trends, it is likely that the number of school-age children will continue to decline substantially over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for this property. The revenue potential for the Nalle property is not value at this due to the lack of quantifiable market.
SCHOOL: PATTERSON ES
BUILT: 1945
WARD: 8
AGE: 52 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Proximity to Other Schools, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Projected Demographics, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Due to location and the proximitv to P.R Harris ES, which is currently has 1000 students in grades Pre-kindergarten through Nine operating at 49% of program capacity and has 1024 vacant seats it is recommend that the 387 students currently attending Patterson be absorbed by P. R. Harris EC.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 13, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Patterson ES facility is $4,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The estimated value of Patterson is $750,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $2,110,876.
The area around Patterson includes Census Tracts 98-7, 98.5, and 98.8. Total population in tract 98.7 declined by about -16% from 1980 to 1990, by about -4% in tract 98.8, and increased by about 5% in tract 98.5. The number of school-age children declined in all three tracts, ranging from -13% to-25%. Housing units also decreased by about -3%. Changes in the number of births from 1990 to 1995 varied by tract, with declines of-25% and 48% in tracts 98.7 and 98.5, while tract 98.8 saw an increase of 11.4%. These trends indicate that it is likely that school-age children will continue to decline, except possibly for tract 98.8.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for this property. The estimated value for this property is $750,000.
SCHOOL: PEABODY
WARD: 6
BUILT: 1976
AGE: 21 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Composition of Student Population -Including Number of Out-Of Boundary Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, and Physical Condition and Cost of Repair and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Due to the geographic location and composition of the building population being composed of 128 students, who are Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten only, the "Early Childhood Program" will be moved completely to the vacant wing at Tyler ES, currently has 442 students and is operating at 70.8% of building program capacity with 182 vacant seats. The Reggio Emilla School-Within-A-School Charter composed of 82 students who are currently housed in the Peabody building will be relocated to the Watkins ES facility, which has 457 students and is currently operating at 64% of building program capacity and has 259 vacant students.
Peabody has a special program for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten children and a Reggio Emilia School-Within-A-School Charter. It is also a part of the Capitol Hill Cluster and shares enrollment boundaries with Watkins Elementary School and Stuart Hobson Middle School. For these reasons, neighborhood population trends are not as relevant as for schools with more clearly defined attendance zones. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the area around Peabody did experience declines in population,- school-age children and housing units from 1980 to 1990, (in Census Tracts 82, 66, 83.1, 83.2, 81, and 67). From 1990 to 1995, this area experienced significant declines in births, from -32% I tract 83.2 to -70% in tract 66. These trends suggest that there will be a continuing decline in the number of school-age children in this area for the next several years.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 3, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Harrison ES facility is $2,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The estimated value of Peabody is $4,375,000.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture of Peabody. The estimated revenue potential for this property is $4,375,000.
SCHOOL: PETWORTH
BUILT: 1902
WARD: 4
AGE: 95 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Composition of Student Population -Including Number of Out-Of Boundary, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
We are proposing that DCPS establish an early childhood demonstration program in Ward 4. A potential site for the establishment of such a program is Whittier ES which is currently operating at 74% of program capacity with 148 vacant seats and at 64% design capacity with 236 vacant seats. The early childhood population currently attending Petworth could attend this program. The remaining students from Petworth would be absorbed by Clark ES which is currently operating at 79% program capacity with 86 vacant seats and 63% design utilization with 190 vacant seats.
Based on the Physical Condition Reassessment conducted on January 31, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Petworth ES facility is $5,300,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The estimated value of Petworth is $900,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $1,633,250.
The areas around Petworth includes Census Tracts 24, 23.1, and 2S.2. Population loss from 1980 to 1990 ranged from -1.3% to -10%. Housing units declined slightly, from -1% to -5%. The number of school-age children declined by -2% in tract 24 and by -26% in tract 23.1, and increased by -38% in tract 24, by -47% in tract 23.1, and by -10% in tract 25.2. These trends suggest that the number of school-age children will decline in this area over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture of Petworth. The estimated revenue potential for this property is $ 900,000.
SCHOOL: RICHARDSON
BUILT: 1948
WARD: 7
AGE: 49 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
It is recommended that Richardson ES, which has a SY 1996 Enrollment of 361 students be closed. Because of geographic location and proximity to Drew ES, which currently has 315 students and is operating at 48% of program capacity with 337 vacant seats and 43% of design capacity with 421 vacant seats, and Shadd ES, which currently has 431 students and is operating 66% of program capacity with 221 vacant seats and 57% of design capacity with 321 vacant seats, it is recommended that the Richardson students be absorbed by Drew and Shadd Elementary schools.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on January 31, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Petworth ES facility is $3,500,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $1,508,995.
Census Tracts 78.8, 78.4 and 99.3 surround Richardson. These tracts saw population losses from 1980 to 1990 ranging from -6.8% to -19%, and decreases in housing units of -3% to -6%. The number of school-age children declined by -37%, -28%, and -35%, in these tracts suggesting a continuing decline in the number of school-age children over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease or joint venture for this property. The revenue potential for this property is not valued at this time due to the lack of a quantifiable market.
SCHOOL: STEVENS
BUILT: 1868
WARD: 2
AGE: 129 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Composition Student Population, Including Number of Out-of-Boundary, Projected Demographics, Age and Major Modernization and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Stevens ES reported the SY 1996 -1997 Official Membership as 321 students of whom 289 students (90%) were reported as "Out-Of-Boundary. While the school is being rebuilt, beginning with SY 1998, buses will be provided to transport neighborhood children to another school.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 3, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Petworth ES facility is $2,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The estimated value of Stevens is $21,434,000. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $199,220.
Surrounded by Census Tracts 54.1, 54.2, 55.2, and 56, and 57.1, Stevens is one of two elementary schools serving the downtown areas of the city. Population and housing trends in these tracts were mixed, with tracts 54.1 and 54.2 experiencing substantial loss of population, and housing from 1980 to 1990, while tracts 55.2 and 57.1 increased in population, and housing also increased in tract 55.2. The number of school-age children declined by -24% to -50% during this period. From 1990 to 1995, births declined by -25% to -43% in four tracts, but increased by 33% in tract 57.1. More housing units are proposed in the coming years in the "Living Downtown", and "Interactive Downtown D. C." plans. The trends suggests that these neighborhoods can be expected to continue to produce some schoolage children over the comings years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease, or joint venture for this property. The estimated revenue potential for this property is $21,434,000. The RFQ will require the developer to accommodate a 250 seat work place school in the development. It is anticipated that the time for approvals will allow Stevens to operate through the 1997-1998 school year. The developer will be asked to provide swing space for this school during construction.
SCHOOL: TAFT
BUILT: 1933
WARD: 5
AGE: 64 Years
Decisive Criteria: Underutilization, Proximity to Other Schools, Projected Demographics, Physical Condition and Cost of Repair and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
In accordance with our previously announced school closing criteria and criteria descriptions, it is determined that Taft JHS is underutilized. The Official SY 1996 1997 Membership for Taft JHS is 273 students. The 1995 Recommended Revised Capacity Report recommends that the building program capacity be set at 1203 students. Based on this information, the program utilization rate at Douglass JHS is 23% with 930 vacant seats. At the secondary level program capacity and design capacity are the same. The program/design utilization is below the criteria standard of 65%.
Because of geographic location and proximity to Backus MS, which is currently operating at 55% of program capacity and has 346 vacant seats, in conjunction with Marshall ES, which currently has 296 students and is operating at 63% of program capacity with 176 vacant seats and 61% of design capacity with 192 vacant seats will absorb the students from Taft.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 4, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Taft facility is $11,650,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $3,894,032.
The Taft neighborhood includes Census Tracts 94, 95.3, 93.1, and 91.1. Losses of population from 1980 to 1990 in these area ranged from -8% to -17%, while housing units declined slightly. The number of school-age children declined by -5% to -35%. Births from 1990 to 1995 declined by -2% to -30%. These trends suggest that the area around Taft will continue to loose school age children over the next few years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all floors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
SCHOOL:WOODRIDGE
BUILT: 1927
WARD: 5
AGE: 70 Years
Read March 27 Corrections
Decisive Criteria: Physical Condition and Cost of Repair, Projected Demographics, Age and Major Modernization, and ADA Compliance
RATIONALE FOR SELECTION
Woodridge ES reported the SY 1996 -1997 Official Membership as 322 students and is currently operating at 98% of program capacity with 6 vacant seats and at 80% of design capacity with 82 vacant seats. Burroughs ES is currently operating at 66% of program capacity with 193 vacant seats and at 63% of design capacity with 221 vacant seats. Langdon ES is currently operating at 52% of program capacity with 335 vacant seats and at 40% of design capacity with 471 vacant seats. There are 556 vacant program capacity seats at these two schools. Due to geographic location and proximity, the students at Woodridge can be absorbed by Burroughs and Langdon.
Because students now at Woodridge may have to cross major roads to attend Burroughs and Langson (South Dakota and Rhode Island Avenues), buses will be provided for one year, SY 1997 -98.
Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 5, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Woodridge facility is $3,000,000. This estimate does not include the need to address adverse environmental conditions which will be additional costs. The D. C. tax assessment for land and improvements is $1,420,463.
The Census Tracts around Woodridge include 91.1, 94 and 90.2. Population decline from 1980 to 1990 was about -8%; housing units declined slightly; the number of school-age children declined slightly, ranging from -4% to -11%. From 1990 to 1995, the number of births declined by -30% in tracts 91.1 and 94, while there was an increase of 61% in tract 90.2 (from 13 to 21 births). These trends suggest a continued slow decline in the number of school-age children in the Woodridge area over the next several years.
The facility is not handicapped accessible. To be in compliance with ADA regulations, handicapped persons must be able to access the entire first floor of a building. This requires corridor doors to have 32" clearance. Elevator(s) are required to provide access to the 2nd floor or higher. All interior doors, toilet rooms and drinking fountains on all Doors must accommodate people with disabilities. Signage must be provided throughout the building. The mounting height of the fire strike station must be lowered to 48" above the floor, and a flasher must be incorporated in the Fire Alarm System. Public telephones must be installed with a telecommunication device for the deaf. Curb cuts must be installed. Parking spaces with appropriate signage must be provided.
Request for Proposals will be issued for sale, lease, or joint venture of the Woodridge property. The revenue potential for this property is not valued at this time due to the lack of a quantifiable market.
TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO THE 1996-1997 REPORT ON SCHOOL CLOSING CANDIDATES #1
(Issued March 27,1997)Additional Recommendation:
Parents of children in schools approved for closing are guaranteed a place for their children in one of the receiving schools. Parents will also be given an "open season" of 30 days this spring during which they may apply to send their child to any other school. Applications for children coming from closed schools will be accepted on a space-available basis, and parents will be informed within a month whether the application has been approved.
Technical Corrections:
The following corrections are to be included in the recommendations for the relevant schools:
EVANS - Paragraph 3, sentence 1 should read: Based on the physical condition reassessment conducted on February 19, 1997, the preliminary cost estimate for repair of the Evans Middle School facility is $4,500,000.
HARRISON - The receiving schools will include Garnet-Paterson Middle School as well as Cleveland and Meyer Elementary Schools. The fifth grade will attend Garnet-Patterson and the fourth grades will be added to Cleveland and Meyer Elementary Schools.
HEARST - The neighborhood children from the Hearst attendance zone will have prionty on spaces at Eaton over out-of-boundary children if parents choose to enroll their children at Eaton rather than have them continue in the Early Childhood Program being moved in its entirety to Whittier Elementary School.
KEENE - The receiving schools will include Rudolph and Barnard Elementary Schools rather than LaSalle Elementary School. All sixth grades said be transferred to Backus and MacFarland Middle Schools. The rising fifth grade students from Keene will attend Barnard, the Pre Kindergarten through fourth grade students at Keene will attend Rudolph. No bussing will be provided. Traffic lights and crossing guards will be at appropriate locations to ensure safety. DCPS will undertake a boundary reconfigurations study, to be completed by January 1998, to draft recommendations for reorganizing the attendance zones for Ward 4 elementary schools in order to have a better distribution of students and improve utilization of schools in the area.
LEWIS - The receiving schools include Emery Elementary School as well as Gage-Eckington Elementary School.
MCGOGNEY - Arrangements will be made to enable students at M.C. Terrell to continue to use outdoor space at McGogney. Metro will be contacted to arrange for safe passage of students through their temporary construction zone.
PATTERSON - The program will be moved as a unit to a designated section of the P.R. Harris Educational Center and be administered as a separate educational program.
PEABODY- Paragraph 3, sentence 1 should read: Based on the Physical Condition Reassessment conducted on March 3, 1997, the preliminary cost of repair of the Peabody ES facility is $2,000,000.
PETWORTH - The receiving schools include Park View Elementary School as well as Clark Elementary School and the Early Childhood Program to be moved from Hearst to Whittier Elementary School.
RICHARDSON- Paragraph 2, sentence 1 should read: Based on the Physical Condition Reassessment conducted on January 31, 1997, the preliminary cost for repair of Richardson ES facility is $3,500,000.
STEVENS- During the rebuilding of Stevens, the developer will be required to locate suitable space, approved by DCPS, to house the students in such a way as not to intarupt the continuity of the educational program and pay the cost of this relocation. Paragraph 2, sentence 1 should read: Based on the Physical Condition Re-Assessment conducted on March 3, 1997, the preliminary cost for repair of Stevens ES facility is $2,000,000.
WOODRIDGE - The primaty receiving school will be Langdon, and the Montessori program will be moved in its entirety to Langdon; other students may choose to attend Burroughs. Because students now at Woodtidge may have to cross major roads (South Dakota and Rhode Island Avenues) to attend Burroughs and Langdon, buses will be provided for one year to ease the transition, SY 1997-98. During the transition period, a boundary reconfiguration study of the area along with a study of traffic signals and crossing guard assistance will be completed.