I, along with a group of other interested parents, attended a community meet-and-greet with the new principle recently. Dr. Spurka is holding many of these meetings so he can get to know more of the parents in the area and so parents can get answers to questions or concerns they have about the new school.

I have to say I felt very good after hearing him speak about his plans, how he wants parents to be involved and his willingness to get out-of-the-box in order to offer more choices in terms of classes than many kids currently have. I’m publishing the full minuets from the meeting (thank you Michelle Olsen for putting them together). I highly encourage other parents to find time for one of his other meetings or going to see Dr. Spurka at his office in Hopewell Middle School.

Minutes from Meet and Greet
September 27, 2011

Dr. Spurka began the meeting by asking everyone to introduce themselves, child (ren) ages and neighborhood.  He has attended 12 Meet and Greets with approximately 300 parents.  He was at Milton HS for 4 years and principal of Roswell HS for 8 years.  His background is in Special Education Law.

He understands it will be a challenge for our current 9th graders to leave their existing schools.  He wants to promote an environment for all kids to be successful.  Dr. Spurka’s vision is to be competitive on all levels (academically, athletically, and in the arts) the first year.  This includes offering a full range of classes with everything from guitar to Advanced Placement classes.  He continues to receive several resumes a day from people interested in teaching at the new school.  The Naming Committee is currently meeting and will present 3 names to the BOE in October.  The Board will vote on the final name in November.  Students will vote on the colors and mascot in December.

A letter will go out, in October, to all students who have been redistricted to the new school welcoming them.  Projected enrollment is at 1657 which accounts for all 2012 rising 9th graders, 50% of rising 10th graders who have the option of choosing the new school or remaining at their current school, 30% of rising 11th graders who can choose the new school, and 10% of rising seniors.  Student will complete the registration process at their existing high school sometime between December and January.  This information will then be transferred over to the new school.

In January, he will be hiring lead positions such as Assistant Principals, Department Chairs, Band Director, Athletic Director etc.  He is allowed to select 6 staff members from his current team to join him at the new school.  Carole Williams, his Bookkeeper and Resource Officer from Roswell already know they will be coming to the new school.  The school will have two resource officers in total.

According to the transportation department, the school day will begin approximately 8:30am give or take 5/10 minutes.  The community has expressed concerns about the traffic issues.  Utility poles are currently being moved back at the intersection of Bethany and Cogburn.  Turn lanes will be installed soon.  According to a parent at the meeting, a round-a-bout will be installed at the Hopewell/Francis Road intersection.  Dr. Spurka will follow up with the City of Milton.

Milton HS has a traditional schedule where students attend six 55-minute classes. When Dr. Spurka was at Roswell HS, he implemented a bell schedule where Tuesday and Thursday, each class is 48 minutes long which allows students the opportunity to take classes such as Drivers Education, musical instrument, Senior work-study etc.  General Education classes can have anywhere from 26-34 students with a maximum of 28 in AP classes.  Distance learning and Seminars are an option for smaller AP classes.

Dr. Spurka will implement a 9th Grade Advisement Program where upper classmen will be trained to help counsel 9th graders.  Students will be divided by gender.

The property consists of 67 acres, 42 which are usable.  There will be a synthetic turf field, practice field, 5 tennis courts, baseball/softball fields and a 140-foot long bridge to the practice field.  Dr. Spurka wants to offer a full 26 programs including Varsity the first year with either a 6A or 5A ranking.  Booster Clubs will form in the spring once head coaches are named.  There will be an Executive Booster Club which will oversee the payment of coaches.  He stated there has been a lot of interest in a Band program.  He plans to survey parents to see what they want in a Band Director.