1. D R A F T
Roosevelt Senior High School
SIT (School Improvement Team) Community Modernization Meeting
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Library; 6:00
1
Ms. Eichelberger greeted the group and people introduced themselves. They discussed May 10th
as the
deadline for revisions to the Education Specification for Roosevelt and although some matters can
continue to be fleshed out after the 10th
most aspects of the document have to final in order for the
project to remain on schedule.
The group reviewed what had been covered so far to varying degrees, including so far:
Music
Science
Athletics
Health, Physical Ed, Dance
Library Media Program
Special Education
Visual Arts
Early Childhood
English Language Arts
Social Studies
Math
Technology
Foreign Language
English Language Learners (ELL)
These department summaries were distributed in draft form at the previous SIT meeting.21st
Century
School Fund is looking at the demographics and justification for the project. The expectation was that
any prioritization or substantial changes would come back to the SIT for further review.
Involving Students in the Process
Mr. Mitchell had been consulted about involving students more in the development of the education
specifications and in the SIT in general. It was acknowledged that it is difficult to get students to
participate in an after-hours meeting although a few students were involved in the pre-SIT meetings last
year.
The architects added that students tend to really appreciate and respect the new buildings, but the key
is to get students involved now. The head custodian at Wilson says the students really feel that they
“own” the building now. Bringing students and community members through the building early can
help develop this excitement and pride. The architects would be willing to become part of the
curriculum while the school is in swing space so that students become more familiar with engineering,
electrical work, etc. Using passive security and lots of cameras has made the new high school buildings
less oppressive and institution-like, which adds greatly to a positive school climate.
Population Projections and Project Justification
Mary Filardo of the 21st
Century School Fund noted that a recent capacity review put Roosevelt’s
capacity at around 1050 students while the current education spec has the school at about 800. But the
DC Office of Planning projections show a large increase in school-age population in the area around
Roosevelt and the recent Master Facilities Plan also points to Roosevelt’s neighborhood as one where
the need for improved facilities and more capacity is greatest. This trend is already being seen as early
childhood classrooms in the schools within a mile of Roosevelt are very full.
The question is why Roosevelt is being designed for its present capacity rather than for the future
projections? She will share a preliminary review of this information with the SIT for further discussion

2. D R A F T
Roosevelt Senior High School
SIT (School Improvement Team) Community Modernization Meeting
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Library; 6:00
2
next week. The SIT needs to determine if the data make sense with what they know of the
neighborhood and how it is changing and whether the enrollment target for a full-capacity Roosevelt is
too ambitious or not ambitious enough. Wilson High School is built to about 240square feet per student
so at 331,000 square feet, Roosevelt probably has capacity for about 1400 or more students. However,
fitting the “perfect” square footage per student into the spaces available in the historic building will
make for substantial inefficiencies. Mr. Alexander agreed that these are good questions to develop in
the process and link to central DCPS.
Feeder Schools and Opening MacFarland
The group discussed the need to put into the notes and recommendations the strong understanding
that MacFarland needs to be re-opened after it serves Roosevelt for swing space. In order for Roosevelt
to grow, students need to feed into it from the surrounding schools. Those schools within a mile radius
of the school are seeing large increases but families leave the area for middle school because there is no
DCPS middle school option in Ward 4. Deal is over-crowed and Columbia Heights if full. Re-opening
MacFarland has to be taken into consideration throughout the planning for Roosevelt so the exterior
athletic spaces, parking, circulation, the physical plant and entrances all work when MacFarland comes
back on line.
Aspirations for the New Roosevelt
The new Roosevelt should be beautiful; the present library space and surrounding hallways is miserable,
dark and unpleasant. The group is expecting to tour other schools that have been modernized,
particularly Wilson as the buildings are so similar. May 13th
or 14th
are tentative dates for the SIT to tour
Wilson. The architects emphasized that Wilson was in very similar or worse shape than Roosevelt is in
when they started but they managed to transform the building. At Roosevelt, there are fewer different
levels to contend with and no need to swap the gym and performing arts space so a quality
modernization at Roosevelt working within the current building is entirely doable. Roosevelt wants to
start building its programs now to be ready for population growth and so it can open with refreshed
course offerings in a fully modernized facility.
Maintenance and Quality Construction
There were also concerns about maintenance funds in the District budget being sufficient to keep a new
school in excellent working shape. Concerns were also voiced about quality work and the need for
constant expert inspections as the project materializes. Components of some of the new construction
have had to be replaced in a few instances. SIT members agreed that maintenance, landscaping and
general upkeep needed to be increased for modernized schools. Mr. Alexander explained the DGS
maintenance and repair task force and mentioned how the equipment would be commissioned and how
the warranty agreements would be tracked. The architects handled the Wilson modernization in 2010-
11; for the most part they are pleased with how that building is holding up.
Project Budget
About $100 million is current allocated for Roosevelt - - down about $20 million from what was set aside
last year. To compare, the Wilson project was about $120 million in 2011. If the school is modernized
for its future enrollment and is planned for a robust student program rather than minimum graduation

3. D R A F T
Roosevelt Senior High School
SIT (School Improvement Team) Community Modernization Meeting
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Library; 6:00
3
credits, then more funding may be required. People considered whether this committee should make
that request through the council very soon while the capital budget is still in flux.
There has been some discussion at the administrative level that Roosevelt might be built out for only
part of its square-footage with the rest of the space primed to be brought on line at a later date. The
group was not in favor of this tentative approach given the expectation of population increases.
Coolidge is reported to have gotten its budget cut reversed but the final vote on the budget is in May
which is coming up very soon. If people want to argue for increased funding, they should contact Council
members Bowser, Catania, Grosso, Barry, Wells, Mendelson, Bonds and Alexander.
Security
Security must be robust but it does not have to be intrusive – metal detectors can be built into doors so
that students do not have to stop to put materials through an x-ray belt but rather can just be wand-ed
if necessary. Security should be passive throughout the building with lots of cameras. It was totally
agreed that the school should not resemble a jail. Windows – with screens - - should open (but not all
the way) so fresh air is an option to the teacher. Windows will have laminated security glass so there
will be no need of window bars. DCPS and MPD do a review of the passive and active aspects of the
security plan that will take in every consideration including looking at keeping shrubbery away from the
building walls. The tall metal fencing at Woodson was reported to be seen as an affront by Woodson
students; it is not standard for DCPS schools but was requested by the community at Woodson. Phelps
may have a more functional security and camera system than does Wilson - - DGS will check.
Early Childhood
The group is very concerned that this space is not sufficient.The group would like to visit working high
school early childhood installations at Ballou, Luke Moore and CHEC.
Special Education
Special education’s autism program requires threeself-contained classrooms, not two. Mr. Patterson,
the chairperson for Roosevelt’s Special Education reviewed the intention that the program not be
isolated in the building but fully coordinated with the rest of the school. Most students with IEPs are
mainstreamed within the rest of the school but the self-contained classrooms need a variety of
education equipment and installations including both a quiet room and a sensory room. There is a good
sensory room in Arlington and one at St. Collettas too – it is not in the education specification now. A
kitchen and life-skills suite will be located to be shared by the autism students.
Mr. Flannigan, one of the central office people responsible for special education agreed that students in
crisis need a quiet space for de-escalation. He expected that the overall percentage of Roosevelt
students with IEPs would remain essentially the same. He indicated that learning disabilities are still
over-identified but no reduction would be expected in the next five to seven years so about 150
students in self-contained classrooms seems to be a reasonable target. It is a number that can generate
the best staffing for the autism classrooms and provide for full time OT/PT therapist but not so many as
to out-balance the rest of the school.

4. D R A F T
Roosevelt Senior High School
SIT (School Improvement Team) Community Modernization Meeting
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Library; 6:00
4
Job training and experiences are especially important for students with IEPs
Athletics
“As is” only works if things are working now but Roosevelt really needs capacity for multiple basketball
practices simultaneously and that is not possible with the present gym. A proper weight room for
student athletes is required in addition to a fitness room.
Music and Performing Arts
Mr. Dickerson, the music teacher, reiterated that a full program would include facilities for dance,
chorus, and band as well as 4-6 practice rooms, a recording studio, and space for a keyboarding room.
The rooms under the stage could be used for parts of this program. The intent is to provide a sequence
of music offering that can continue to be engaging over a sequence of semesters.
Art
Two art rooms will be required to fully offer a course of study in a variety of media including graphic arts
and painting and pottery, sculpture, art history, etc. The art rooms should also be able to suit the needs
of students in the self-contained special education classrooms. Students need to be able to work with
both “dirty” and “clean” media and this generally required two rooms. Two sections of art may be
required in order to schedule in required art classes for an expanded student body. Art requires
specialized equipment such as kilns and drying rooms and an abundance of display space desirable.
Science
Roosevelt needs labs for biology, chemistry, physics and environmental science. The science faculty
developed a five-year strategic plan that includes additional university partnerships to add to the
programs developed with Howard, and more grants for materials and project support as well as a lot of
interdisciplinary collaboration. The faculty is concerned about the state of the labs in MacFarland.
Traffic, Parking and Circulation
District guidelines have a specific staff and visitor parking regulation as a function of the number of
faculty. However, other schools have obtained waivers based on their proximity to public transit.
Additionally, more green space in the congested “back yard” area could be had by establishing the
faculty’s right to park around the perimeter of the block for more than the 2-hour limit - - but how
would the community feel about that? Would parking in front of the school be possible if there were a
traffic circle designed in coordination with opening the front door and ADA access?
LEED Status and “Greening”
By city law, Roosevelt will have to achieve LEED silver status and they will be encouraged to reach gold
which is the goal. The architects are looking at geothermal possibilities but that is not a guaranteed
solution.

5. D R A F T
Roosevelt Senior High School
SIT (School Improvement Team) Community Modernization Meeting
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Library; 6:00
5
Swing Space
What is the budget for developing effective swing space at MacFarland? It would be good to include site
work and traffic circulation and parking considerations in any work involving the MacFarland swing
space – upgrades to science labs, for instance. Planning for swing space is well underway and since the
building has good communications and has numerous SMART boards the “fit” is coming rather
economically.
Next Meeting
The next SIT meeting will be next Thursday, May 2nd followed the following Thursday May 9 with
another SIT meeting; the next community meeting will be May 30th
; all meetings are at 6:00.
Ms. Eichelberger indicated that the historical and demographic information and the narratives
developed by Roosevelt departments would go out to the group electronically.
Participants
1. Renard Alexander, DCPS Office of Chief Operating Officer
2. KidestAlbaari, DGS Contractor for Ed Specs
3. Christopher Ambridge, Cox, Graae, Spack
4. Kamili Anderson, Ward 4 State Board of Education
5. Jane Bettistea, Alumni
6. Ray Bridgewater, Ga. Ave. Collaborative Board
7. Yolanda Bruno, Roosevelt Faculty/Staff
8. Angie Christophe. Neighbor, Ward 4 Education Consortium
9. Dori Cook, Education Activist
10. Temple Crutchberg, Roosevelt Faculty/Staff
11. Kenneth Dickerson, Roosevelt Faculty/Staff
12. Maurice Edwards, Alumni
13. Tracy Eicheberger, Roosevelt Chief of Transformation
14. Thomas Flannigan, DCPS Special Education
15. Mary Filardo, 21st
Century School Fund
16. Robin Gerber, Roosevelt WIN Partner
17. Don Gregory, Cox, Graae, Spack, Architects
18. Ron Hampton, Roosevelt Family/Community Resource Center
19. Nancy Huvendick, 21st
Century School Fund
20. Mike Ivey, Ward 4 Education Consortium
21. Michael Jordan, STAY faculty, Staff
22. Cheryl Miller, Roosevelt Parent
23. Bernadine Okoro, Roosevelt Faculty/Staff
24. Jerome Patterson, Roosevelt Faculty/Staff
25. Cynthia Prather, Alumni
26. Darrell Pressley, DGS Communications
27. Cathy Reilly, Sr. High Alliance, Neighbor

6. D R A F T
Roosevelt Senior High School
SIT (School Improvement Team) Community Modernization Meeting
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Library; 6:00
6
28. Joseph Semper, Community Member
29. Charles Simmons, Alumni
30. Elena Skotar, Lance Baily Architects
31. Jeff Standish, ANC4C
32. Stephanie Trice, Alumni
33. Barbara Thomas, Community Member
34. Shane Wells, Ward 4 Council Office
35. Kyle Whitley, DGS Project Manager
36. Michael Yates, ANC4C01