School Board: Facilities Plan Should Match District's Vision

School Board directors want to ensure a proposed $90,000 to $100,000 facilities plan isn't getting ahead of their own vision for where should go.

Superintendent John Schultz wants school board directors to approve a contract for a facilities plan that will map out the district's building needs for the next 13 years. Architects would identify key issues, investigate demographics and meet with groups of residents, staff and board members.

Such planning would allow the district to anticipate expenses instead of simply reacting to problems as they arise, he said.

“It’s just a fiscally responsible thing to do that,” Schultz told board members Thursday. “We have to have a plan to maintain our facilities.”

Just as importantly, a plan would give the district essential information for voters considering levy renewals. Schultz wants the study completed in time for fall 2012, so the district will have information on bonding when it asks voters to renew its levy in 2013.

Board members don’t necessarily disagree with the idea, but some worry they are being asked to set the plan in motion before they have a clear vision for the direction the district should go.

Director Warren Goodroad—after asking what would be needed for a magnet school focusing on science, technology, engineering and math—wondered if the plan was moving too quickly to create something like that. Director Ellen Dustman, noting , said parents expressed an interest in more music and arts education.

“There’s a lot of options we could do to attract (people) as far as magnets or something like that,” she said.

Schultz said the final plan would have some flexibility. He promised to work with the anticipated architectural firm to refine the plan, clarify exactly what it will deliver and ask about flexibility.

“I am just really concerned about planning for the levy and not having information,” he said.

The board will review the proposal and vote on it within the next month.