From DALLAS JACKSON, Ed.D. Superintendent Throughout the month of September, representatives from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC) have been on-site to assess the current conditions of each of our school buildings and to evaluate the present and future educational, programmatic and spatial requirements. Members of our Board of Education invited the OFCC to conduct the facilities assessment. The last such survey was conducted in 2004 by the Ohio School Facilities Commission (now part of the OFCC). As you’re most likely aware, the future of facilities in our district has been a long discussed and evaluated topic. Several committees have graciously considered the topic and thoughtfully offered well-researched, well-planned and well-intended resolutions. This past spring, the community had the opportunity to vote on a plan (in the form of a bond issue) that was recommended by me and approved by the Board of Education. With the failure of the bond issue, our facility needs remain. To that end, the Board Members have decided to continue their efforts in designing a facilities plan that our community will support. The results of the OFCC assessment will provide updated information about the condition, sustainability and usability of our buildings. We project that the assessments could be presented to the district by the end of this calendar year. In addition to the OFCC assessment, the Board has asked that a professional community survey be conducted in an effort to gain a sense of community sentiment in regards to facilities. Together, the information learned from both the OFCC facilities assessment and community survey should prove beneficial to the Board of Education and to this Superintendent as we work to develop a facilities plan that will benefit student learning and can be supported by our community. The timing of the survey is still being considered with hopes that the results can be received by December to early January. As we make progress with our efforts, I will keep you informed. Clearly, the issue of facilities is extremely important to our community. For everyone who has invested the hundreds of hours over the past decade-plus, you have our gratitude. We all want facilities that will meet the needs of our children and provide the appropriate learning spaces that empower them to learn and grow. We’re also aware, that we must find ways to meet those needs in a cost effective way.
Posted on: Mon, 30 Sep 2013 21:41:59 +0000
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