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INTERAGENCY RECOVERY SCHOOL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) December 2014

Table of Contents

Why are you doing this? ......................................................................................... 1

How was the decision made? .................................................................................. 1

What can you tell us about Interagency? ................................................................. 3

What is the program and how will it operate? ......................................................... 5

Who are the students? ............................................................................................. 7

How will security and legal matters be handled? ..................................................... 8

How can we be assured our neighborhood wont be damaged? ............................. 12

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

1. Why are you putting the Interagency Recovery School at this location? Seattle Public Schools supports the educational needs of every student, in every classroom, every day. Our mission statement states that Seattle Public Schools is committed to ensuring equitable access, closing the opportunity gaps and excellence in education for every student.

Because students have a variety of needs, the district needs to be flexible to support every students educational needs. The Interagency program is tailored to meet the needs of students who require more or different support than what is provided in traditional comprehensive high schools. All are small programs with enhanced services.

There is not enough space in our other buildings for this program.

HOW WAS THE DECISION MADE TO ADD THIS PROGRAM IN THIS LOCATION?

2. Why was there no request for community input from the immediate neighborhood and the John Hay School community before the December Community Meeting?

The district has not normally requested input from the community with regard to program placements, including its Interagency programs. The major consideration made in this decision was program space needs and availability of instructional space.

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3. Who made this decision? District staff made a recommendation to the superintendent in spring of 2014 about the location of several programs, Interagency being one of them. Ultimately, the superintendent makes the decision about program placement, but district staff gives the superintendent information to help inform those decisions.

4. Are you willing to reconsider your decision given parent's concerns? We are committed to working with the community to make the placement of the Interagency Recovery School successful.

5. I would like to know what thought process, by SPS, was given to the location right next to an elementary school as it potentially ramps up to 80 children?

The district does not consider the recovery program to present a threat to the safety or security of the elementary school or to interfere in any way with its operation. The site is appropriate (size, location, etc.) for the small high school program.

6. Has anyone ever considered opening a regular high school in that building? The Queen Anne High School building was closed in 1981 due to a decrease in enrollment and sold to a private entity. The district has retained ownership of the separate gymnasium building, but it is too small for a full sized high school.

7. Is this a long-term location for Interagency Recover School? Yes, for the foreseeable future.

8. Why is there no mention of this effort on the interagency website? This program is still being formed and developed. Our hope is to have more information on the site once it is finalized.

9. Would SPS reassess opening this location based on community concerns? Can we start a petition to vote for the decision, and would it change anything if we did?

The district welcomes and considers input from the community regarding all district-related issues.

10. What was the decision process around opening a new school location for a program (for troubled students) over addressing an overcrowding of an elementary school by over 130 and growing per to the original allocation?

We continually address enrollment growth in all regions of the district. The gymnasium does not have adequate space for a large number of students, nor does it meet educational specifications for an elementary school.

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11. Our elementary schools are crowded enough on QA. We could have used this space instead of having two double-wide portables on our playground. There has to be an alternative in a non-residential neighborhood just like the other 10 or so Interagency Schools. Is the district looking into alternative sites for this?

Not at this time. Interagency currently operates at 10 school sites. Three are in current or former school buildings in residential neighborhoods Columbia School in Columbia City, (old) Van Asselt on Beacon Hill, and (old) Cooper School in West Seattle. While Opportunity Skyway is located on the grounds of the King County Airport, it is across the street from a residential neighborhood. Two sites are located in buildings that also house pre-school programs (UDYC and Van Asselt).

12. Why was there an RFP opened in August with Proposals due September 10, vendors chosen and work started when the community did not vote on this until October 13?

As with all projects, an architect is hired first to determine what work needs to be done and then makes recommendations to the district.

13. How does the district respond to the fact that people are considering pulling their kids from John Hay and moving out of the neighborhood if this program at the gym goes forward? Will families who attended John Hay have immediate ability to switch their child to Queen Anne Elementary or another school upon the opening of the Interagency School on QA?

The district respects the communitys right to withdraw their students from any school and request admission to another school. The district will accept additional students to other schools based on space available.

14. Where can we file a complaint concerning how this whole matter was handled? You may file a complaint with the district Ombudsman, whose email address is ombudsman@seattleschools.org.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE INTERAGENCY SCHOOLS?

15. What are the safety statistics from other Interagency Schools? Given the vast differences between all the Interagency Schools, we dont feel information from one relates to the others.

16. What's the success rate of the recovery programs, and/or other Interagency Schools? This is Seattle Public Schools first Interagency Program of its type, so we have no previous information to compare it to. Until this fall, there was only one recovery school in the area, Eastside Academy, in Bellevue. In September, the Kent School district added a recovery program at its alternative high school. The Interagency recovery school will be the third school in the state.

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17. What is the graduation rate for students of the Interagency School system in Seattle? This is a difficult answer as students enter and exit the program at different times in their high school career. Some leave before a traditional graduation to attend their neighborhood high school, some exit to enroll in a college workforce training program, some move on to a GED program, and some graduate after completing courses at Interagency. Graduation rates then do not reflect the success of the program the way they might for a traditional high school.

18. Are other Interagency Schools in close proximity to elementary schools? Two Interagency programs are located in buildings that also house pre-school programs (UDYC and Van Asselt).

19. What is the success rate of students participating and completing programs at the inter-agency schools?

Again, this is difficult to measure as the definition of success is different for everyone. Some go on to community college, some return to their neighborhood high schools, some graduate from the program, some go on to workforce training.

20. How many students have ended up back in jail or detention from the time they entered an interagency high schoolor fallen into recidivism?

We do not have/keep track of this information.

21. What is the graduation rate for students of the Interagency School system in Seattle? Interagency typically graduates 75-90 students each year. Because graduation rate is calculated using the number of 9th graders who start at a high school and graduate 4 years later, the measure is not applicable to Interagency because students do not start 9th grade here. Students come and go for a variety of reasons, often returning to comprehensive high schools once they have caught up on credits. Other students come to Interagency after their on- time graduation date has passed, but work hard and earn their diploma. These students do not count as part of an on time graduation rate for any high school.

22. Were any incoming students referred to interagency by a parole officer? Interagency programs coordinate with the judicial system to provide appropriate education and support to students. This may include case management by probation or parole officers.

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WHAT IS THE PROGRAM AND HOW WILL IT OPERATE?

23. What's the "specialty" of this Recovery School? (ex: the Boeing location teaches vocational skills, etc.)

The school is an Interagency school, partnering with King County Mental Health and NAVOS. The Recovery School will support students who are committed to remaining drug and alcohol free while attending/finishing high school and preparing for college and career.

24. How many students will be attending? The site will open with 10 students. We believe this is an appropriate number to establish an effective, safe and positive learning environment when the program first opens. We anticipate the program to grow to 30 to 40 students by the end of the school year. The site will have capacity for up to 80 students; however, most Interagency sites serve between 40 and 60 students. We will have at least 4 staff members, so the adult to student ratio will be favorable.

25. What is the population ramp-up timeline? Two school years. The program expects to start at the site with 10-15 students in February and to grow to 30-40 students by the end of the school year.

26. Will students be able to access the building outside of hours of operation? This will be a small high school site. Regular school hours will be from 8:30 until 2:30. The school will be operated as a closed campus, meaning students will not leave the site for lunch. Staff will be onsite from about 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. As with every school, there will be occasional evening events such as curriculum night or family conferences. Students will not be at the school without adult supervision.

27. What will the staff to student ratio be? In the beginning, the ratio will be about 1 staff to every 2 students. As enrollment grows, the ratio will change as well. With 30 students, the ratio will be about 1 to 8. The program will have at least 4 staff including 2 teachers, paraprofessional staff and a recovery counselor. One more teacher may be added as enrollment increases.

28. Since there are very few actual classrooms, are you converting the gym to classrooms?

The gym is not being converted to classrooms. A portion of the lower level is being subdivided to create four classrooms.

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29. What transportation will students be using? (Metro? school bus? driving?) Just like every high school student, Interagency School students will receive ORCA passes to use King County Metro. We expect most students will arrive by Metro or be dropped off by parents. A few students may drive.

30. Will there be drug testing? What percentage of students has addiction problems? There will be random and non-random drug testing. All students who enroll will have experienced past problems with drug or alcohol use and will have participated in treatment services prior to enrollment.

31. Will the school be open during summer months? Some Interagency sites are open one day each week in the summer for students who want to continue to work on online classes to catch up or accelerate progress toward their diploma. We have not made a decision about opening the Recovery School during the summer of 2015.

32. How will students at interagency structure their day? Students begin the day with a group counseling session, and then attend a regular six-period high school day. Counselors are available for individualized meetings throughout the day to provide additional support and to work with each student on their personal education and life goals.

Students at the recovery school will attend classes from about 8:30-2:30. Courses include math, language arts, PE, social studies, science and electives. Students will take some classes online. All students will participate in a Recovery Support course each day. Students will also meet individually with a Recovery Support Counselor. They will eat lunch on campus.

33. Will students attend classes (e.g. gym classes) off site, such as at Big Howe or the Community Center?

Students will attend all their classes on site.

34. Is enrollment consistent, or is it "revolving door" with different students coming in and out over the school year?

The program will start at the site with an estimated 10 students and will grow to an estimated 30 students by June 2015. Interagency adds students throughout the year. We do this because we believe students and the community are better off if students are IN school rather than waiting to enroll.

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35. Can you please educate us on the different recovery programs under the Interagency umbrella? Which of these programs can we expect at the QA site?

Interagency School operates 10 sites. While each offers different services in collaboration with one or more community partners, the Recovery School is unique in offering support specifically for students who want to attend a sober school. It is the only program to be located in the Queen Anne gymnasium.

WHO ARE THE STUDENTS FOR INTERAGENCY RECOVERY SCHOOL?

36. What "type" of students will be attending? (pregnant teens? former gang members? all have arrest records?)

High school aged students who have made a commitment to remove drugs and/or alcohol from their lives. The program will serve students who prefer to attend a school where they can work on their recovery and know that their peers and teachers will support them in remaining drug free. They agree to participate in a daily recovery support class and to meet regularly with a recovery counselor. Most students will have completed a drug/alcohol treatment program inpatient or outpatient. Some may continue attending treatment/recovery support programs after school. Students will come from every neighborhood in Seattle.

37. What are the reasons for their expulsion from school? Students attending were not necessarily expelled from their former school. Each student has a different story, however students personal information is subject to privacy and it is the intention of the district to keep their names and information private. About 20 percent of the students who enroll at Interagency (across all sites) do so as a result of a long-term suspension from other Seattle High Schools. While some students at the Recovery School may have been suspended at some time, students will not be placed there as a result of suspension. Students placed at the school will opt for the site specifically to support their recovery.

38. Will there be 22-year-old students in this group? (according to the SPS website, students can be up to 22 years old)

While students are allowed to attend any high school in the state of Washington until the end of the school year in which they turn 21, we anticipate most students will be between 15 and 18 years old.

39. I heard from a reliable source that the QA site will only be used for neighborhood youths. Is this correct? If this is the case, will SPS use the 2014-2015 district boundaries for high schools to enroll students at this site? If not, which neighborhoods will the youths be from?

We do not release personal information on these students, including their individual neighborhoods. This program is open to students throughout the district, so we expect students from all over Seattle, Queen Anne students included.

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40. Of the current students, how many of them have been in jail? This information is not available.

41. Of these students, what are their crimes or what are the reasons they have been expelled from their traditional high schools?

Again, the recovery school site will serve students who are working on their own recovery. This does not mean that students have necessarily been suspended or expelled from a traditional high school nor had any involvement with the court system. About 20% of Interagency students (overall) come to the school as part of a disciplinary action at another school. Most come to Interagency because they are seeking a smaller, more personalized place to learn or are seeking specialized services.

HOW WILL SECURITY AND LEGAL MATTERS BE HANDLED?

42. What security measures will be implemented? The staff/student ratio allows our school staff to know students well and to provide additional services and supports for students. In addition to staff at the school site, students have access to health and mental health services through Interagencys school based clinic, and specialists who can assist with any concerns that may arise, including intervening with student behavior if needed. Interagencys three administrators support staff at all sites. As a school community, we will prepare for and practice responses to possible safety and security issues that may arise, in the same way all schools prepare. We will limit building access to staff, students and authorized visitors. At all of Interagencys school sites, staffs are able to contact the district security office if additional support is needed.

43. In anticipation of (or in response to concerns about) Recovery School students doing harm or damaging property in the Queen Anne neighborhood, to whom does the school administration suggest we direct our response, legal and/or administrative?

Community members who witness an act of vandalism by any district student are encouraged to call district security at 206-252-0707.

Note on 44. and 45. The next two questions refer to this information found regarding a job description for Seattles Interagency Schools: Interagency Academy serves as a dropout recovery intake center for Seattle Public Schools serving students who are returning from having dropped out due to;

Pregnancy, homelessness, untreated mental illness, or other traumatic events; Having been expelled or long term suspended from comprehensive Seattle high schools

for violent or drug-related offenses; Having returned from incarceration (either Juvenile Detention, JRA, or King County Jail);

or Having not been supported adequately by the regular system for a variety of other

reasons and is off-track to graduate.

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Interagency does not turn students away, regardless of what has happened before they have come to us. We strive to find creative, student-centered solutions to every problem that comes our way. We view barriers that many see as insurmountable as challenges that we will overcome with our students, and our Intake Center is a critical piece of our success.

44. Is the above the profile of students for the QA Gym Recovery site and if so, how does this not concern our own administration?

This is a profile of the full complement of Interagency School programs, not just the Queen Anne site. Interagency School has been an effective and successful program, providing valuable education and support services to students who would otherwise not have those opportunities. The profile for students at the Recovery site is as follows: High school-aged students who have experienced substance abuse issues, who are actively pursuing recovery and committed to living a sober, drug free life while finishing high school and preparing for college and career. Students enroll and attend voluntarily.

45. And, if this is the profile, can and how will Seattle Schools ensure the safety of our own young John Hay children and our neighborhood based on this?

It is not a profile of the Queen Anne site. Students in the recovery school do not present more risk than others in the community. They may arguably present less risk because they are working hard to progress in their own lives and have the support of adults who care about them.

46. Did any of the 10 Seattle neighborhoods in which recovery programs were placed require extra safety measures (e.g. extra security) during and/or after school hours in response to the programs?

This is the first recovery high school program in Seattle.

47. Does SPS share data about incidents within the program and/or incidents outside the program that involved Interagency students and affected the neighborhood?

Criminal incidents are reported to the Seattle Police Department who collaborates with local community groups. The district participates in community meetings with our local police department, as appropriate, to discuss incidents of concern and to develop prevention and response strategies.

48. Even though the program participants may be committed to the program, do they sometimes still interact with previous group members (e.g. former gang members)? If yes, how is their interaction monitored?

We strongly caution the community from making generalizations about the students in this program (for instance, suggesting they are former gang members). Each student had a different story and all come from all races, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

49. Have the police been notified about this school, and if not, why? Do they have a fast response protocol set up in the instance of weapons or violence?

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The Seattle School district works closely with SPD to be sure that they are prepared to respond quickly should the need arise. We do not expect any issues to come from this school but we will work closely with the West Precinct to be sure they are able to respond quickly and to protect our students at school and coming to and from school. Once the program start date is set, we will be meeting with the local precinct to share information in the interest of securing the safety of our students and the community.

50. In anticipation of (or in response to concerns about) Recovery School students doing harm or damaging property in the Queen Anne neighborhood, to whom does the school administration suggest we direct our response, legal and/or administrative?

The public would contact the Seattle Police Department, as they would with any other incident.

51. Did any of the 10 Seattle neighborhoods in which recovery programs were placed require extra safety measures (e.g. extra security) during and/or after school hours in response to the programs?

There are no other recovery school programs in Seattle. Interagency operates 10 other sites but none is a recovery school. Other sites have not required additional security. Interagency has one security staff person who is housed at our main site in Columbia City. The school operates four separate programs at that site including the Intake Center for students coming from all parts of the district. Security at that building was not a response to an incident or incidents, but rather a preventive measure since hundreds of students come to that site each week.

52. Even though the program participants may be committed to the program, do they sometimes still interact with previous group members (e.g. former gang members)? If yes, how is their interaction monitored?

As is the case in every high school, most students at Interagency are not affiliated with gangs. Individuals in recovery often recognize that part of recovery is building a new peer group, which sometimes means letting go of previous friendships. One goal of the recovery school is to provide an opportunity for students to develop a new peer group and to find ways to have fun and to cope with lifes challenges without using substances. No school can govern every aspect of its students lives, so association with friends or others outside of school is outside of the jurisdiction of the school. We will not allow visitors from other schools on campus unless arranged in advance, approved by the Site Lead staff member and only for positive purposes.

53. When the students relapse, what prevents them from taking advantage of local targets of opportunity (our homes and or persons)?

Relapse is not the end of recovery, especially for adolescents. If students relapse, we will intervene in partnership with the students family and support system to increase recovery services and to revise the students recovery action plan. This could include return to treatment, additional supervision outside of school, and increased frequency of drug testing. If students continue to use, or refuse assistance in getting back on track, we will move them to another school. Relapse events are extremely unlikely to happen at school since students

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are well supervised and for most students, school will be the most sober part of their day and the place where substances are the least available.

54. With marijuana being legal, what procedures are happening that, this not be smoked feet from small children. The concern is that a students age can go up to 22; therefore, they legally can smoke this substance

Students who bring or use substances at school will not be allowed to continue in the program, regardless of age or legality.

While marijuana may be legal in the privacy of personal property, it is still illegal federally and also on all school property and at all school-sanctioned events. It is not allowed at Interagency School or any of Seattle Public Schools other sites

55. Is the district at all concerned that a gang element may present itself near the elementary school either by interagency students themselves or by their associations?

No.

56. What measures is the district taking to prevent gang related activity near John Hay? Interagency program consults with the Seattle Police Department to ensure that appropriate prevention and intervention strategies are in place for their students and program sites. This includes consultation with the SPD gang unit.

57. What will be the procedure regarding potential drug use? As a resident, I expect that the laws be applied as they would towards me and the full force of the law be instituted.

Again, students in the program are trying to stay away from drugs. While no one can guarantee anyone elses behavior, we expect drug use at and around school to be the lowest of any middle or high school in the school district. We will not tolerate possession or use of drugs or alcohol at the school site.

58. In the district's description of this program, it states that there are protocols for a student that relapses or is found in possession of drugs. Is the district concerned that they are now bringing potential drug use within feet of an elementary school?

The students of the Interagency School have committed to being clean and sober, and will undergo random drug tests. Students must follow the same rules as every other Seattle Public School student. There is a zero tolerance policy around drugs and alcohol. Should a student be found in possession or under the influence, they will be removed from the school and enrolled in a different program. Potential drug use at this location is expected to be lower than that of most high schools.

It is true that relapse is a possibility for anyone in recovery. Relapse is even more likely when there are not supports and services in place for individuals to use when they are considering using again. The best thing for the community is for students to be in school and receiving the support and services they need to tackle their own recovery, develop new skills, and find ways to have fun and experience life without using.

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HOW CAN WE BE ASSURED THAT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WONT BE DAMAGED?

59. What impact should we expect in our neighborhood? The anticipated impacts of locating the program in the neighborhood include turning an underused and frequently vacant building into an active school site: students, parents and staff coming and going; improvements to the appearance of the building and landscape; active use of an important community resource.

Interagency School and John Hay Elementary will have separate start and end times to reduce traffic and maintain student separation. The building will receive ongoing maintenance, landscaping and garbage collection.

60. What is the districts plan for maintaining the exterior of this building and land? It is an eyesore to our neighborhood, I often pick up trash around the site, move gym equipment that has been left outside, and Ive seen other neighbors mow the lawn on the west side of the building. It is a disaster and has not been attended to in years. Please pass this info along.

As an active high school, the landscaping and building will be maintained. In addition to district efforts, the school community will take on community service projects including improving the grounds. Specific projects are still to be determined but are likely to include landscaping, creating a school food garden and other improvements to the grounds.

61. How does this location affect property values of surrounding homes? This is not something the school district tracks, therefore we cant answer this question, but we would expect a well-maintained occupied school building to have a positive impact on the community.