Facility Planning Process
On this page, you'll find updates on our facility planning process and how community input is shaping our next steps as a district to use our facilities to impact students.
Why is Facilities Planning Important?
Our facilities are aging, and they just aren't meeting all of our district needs. As we look to the future of our schools and community, we want to ensure that our buildings match the top-quality of education and opportunities we strive to provide our students.
Gathering Community Feedback: Post-Election Survey
June 2024
On May 7, 2024, we proposed a bond to address increasing facility issues across the district. The proposal failed by 109 votes.
When the bond proposal was not approved, we surveyed the community for feedback.
Methodology
The survey was mailed to all who voted and everyone on the district's regular mailing list. It was also emailed to all parents and staff, posted on social media, and available in print form in the office.
We extended the survey timeline by one week to ensure we received as many responses as possible.
Results
The survey collected 985 total responses, (a 250+ increase from our previous facilities survey in April 2023) with responses from SJPS parents/guardians, staff, and non-parent community members.
Working Together: A Community Steering Committee
Summer/Fall 2024
Evaluating survey feedback and wanting to ensure our facilities address the needs of our students, staff, and the greater community, we invited the whole community to apply to participate in a Facilities Steering Committee.
Applicants were evaluated on the following criteria:
- Prioritization of student interest
- Willingness to collaborate
- Enthusiasm for community input and effective long-term planning
- Representation of a variety of community perspectives
We were able to accept all applicants!
Committee Members
The group of more than 35 individuals represents a range of stakeholders from across the community: students, staff, administrators, alumni, parents, and community members.
Purpose
"The Committee will collaborate to provide a recommendation to the Board of Education on a potential May 2025 bond proposal. The committee will review and discuss relevant data and information to ensure alignment of district facilities to its educational mission and associated goals to best serve the community."
Committee Norms
The following norms were developed and agreed upon unanimously by the Committee.
- "Our work is for the kids."
- Listen to other people's ideas
- Assume positive intentions
- Ask questions and be curious
- Seek to understand others
- Agree to disagree
- Be solution-focused
- Be vulnerable and open
- Bring best version of yourself; find success
- Think shared purpose/bigger than yourself
- Seek consensus for broader community (Embrace the “gray area”)
Committee-Established Facilities Priorities
The following priorities were developed and agreed upon unanimously by the Committee.
- Tangible and Lasting Impact
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement
- Modern, Future-Ready Facilities
- Prioritize upgrades to both athletic and academic facilities
- Safety and Security in all district buildings
- Address deferred maintenance to maintain safe, high-quality environments.
- Fiscal Responsibility
- Academic and Extracurricular Excellence
- Career Preparation and Life Skills
- Effective Communication and Transparency
- Development of the District as a Community Hub
- Continuous Improvement and Competitiveness of District and Community
Meeting Content
Beginning in August 2024, the Committee has been meeting regularly to discuss the current status of district facilities, school finances, and prioritize future improvements, considering a potential May 2025 bond proposal. See below for content from each meeting:
Meeting #1: Establishing norms, direction, and priorities
Meeting #3: Determining major priorities for a potential bond proposal
Meeting #4: Discussing potential scenarios and honing priorities
Meeting #5: Working with potential* scenarios and projects
(*Note that all of these are items the committee were exploring to understand what are the best uses of financial resources. Nothing is final.)
Meeting: #6: Combining Board and Steering Committee Input
October 16 Community Forum
On October 16, 2024, we hosted a Community Forum where we shared our Facility Planning process. Representatives from our Steering Committee shared the prioritization process and explained a few scenarios being considered for a potential bond proposal.
All community members were invited to ask questions and give feedback via a live survey. Below are the results of that survey.
***Please note that these responses represent only of those in the room. A simultaneous third-party, scientific survey is being conducted with a representative community sample.***
Our Process
Consensus and Next Steps
After months of meeting as a Committee, incorporating Board of Education and Community Feedback, the Steering Committee reached a vote of consensus around the scope of a potential bond proposal.
At the November 11 Meeting, the SJPS Board of Education voted to continue with next steps in the Department of Treasury Application process.
Early next year, the Board will then vote to adopt a resolution to call an election based on the finalized proposal. We will publish more information accordingly.
Pictured: Steering Committee voting to reach a consensus on the project scope list for a potential bond proposal.
