The View 38002 February 2015 | Page 5

38002.com theview theview February 2015 Page 5 arlington news Arlington Schools Plan for Future Facility Needs Continued from Page 1 Staff Photo Students from Donelson Elementary School performed at the January ArlingtonCommunity School Board Meeting as part of National School Board Week recognitions. Compiled From Staff Reports January Arlington Community Schools Board Meeting Celebration of the School Board Recognition week was the first item addressed at meeting with the Donelson Elementary choir serenading the attendants. A video was played with messages of praise and gratitude by students and teachers of all four schools. Lastly Mayor Mike Wissman presented the Board with a p r o c l a ma t i o n fo r “School Board Week” in Arlington. Next on the agenda, citizens’ grievances and concerns were discussed. The Lacrosse team’s request to use the AHS facility for and upcoming game was the first Item presented to the board. Next a parent requested the board to consider an implemen- tation of a Junior ROTC program at AHS. Board moved on with the first of several items on their agenda. Tammy Mason, ACS Superintendent, reported that enrollment process is being closed at some of the schools. Also several public relation and marketing tools such as videos and brochures are on the project pipeline to promote the school system and district. Budget for the school system is in good state with the only issue in the red being the cafeterias. The projected revenues for these were not reached. The ACS Administration considering alternatives and programs to put into place to fix the problem. Mason’s preassessment evaluation was presented to the board. Overall a very favorable evaluation was evident with comments of her being “very effective repre- sentation of the school system”. Finally the ACS Instructional Calendars 2015-16 and 2016-17 were discussed by Mr. Mayo and both were approved by the board. Links to the calendars can be found on the Arlington Community Schools website at www.acsk-12.org/ calendar.. February Mayor and Board of Aldermen Meeting The night’s meeting was the last for Town of Arlington Superintendent Ed Haley. Both the Mayor and Aldermen praised Haley on his achievements and contributions to the Town’s growth. Belmont subdivision was approved for the land on Forrest Street east of the Cambridge Manor Subdivision. Per the developer’s revised plan, there will now be 30 ft of HOA owned common open space. There will be an additional 25 ft of tree preservation area from the stub street out to Forrest. UPCOMING MEETINGS: For an up-to-date list of government meetings and other community events, go to www.theview38002.com /calendar. son Elementaries could be reconfigured as K-6th grade schools and Arlington Middle would serve only 7th & 8th grades. In this scenario, a proposed 12,000 square foot addition to AMS, currently slated for Fiscal Year 2017, could be constructed sooner. In presenting the proposed plan, Shared Services Planner Nedra Jones identified enrollment, programs, and facilities as the three “pillars” of the Facilities Plan. Jones stated that current ACS enrollment is 4878, with ARL 2945, LAK 1270, non-resident (transfer) 663. The construction of a 164-unit apartment complex in Arlington could result in additional 70 students when completed. With the opening of Lakeland Prep, total enrollment in ACS schools could drop to 36003700 students. Program initiatives for Arlington Community Schools focus on STEM (Science, Technology, E