Master Facilities Planning Next Steps - Board of Education 

After the Board voted to turn down the recommendation of the Community Facilities Committee, the Board discussed the master facilities plan again at the regular February 18, 2016 Board meeting.  At that meeting, Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos presented a timeline for the Board as they begin the process over again themselves.  The Board unanimously voted to approve the master facilities timeline as presented.

The first part of this process involved a district facilities tour of every building in the district on Friday, March 4th, 2016 from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm.  Current Board Members, Board Member candidates and administration were invited to take part in this tour.  The group met with the leadership team and custodial staff from each building to discuss the major needs at each building and ask any questions they might have.  The Board is also holding a work session on March 17, 2016 to do a deep dive into the master facilities needs.

Dr. Eliopoulos will be holding 12 separate community information sessions at various locations within the school district as well as out in the community.  All community members are personally invited to attend one or more of these sessions intended to provide information about district facility needs. 

A survey will be provided in April 2016 to seek community input on their district facilities.

April 28, 2016 Board Facilities Work Session I

For this initial master facilities work session, the Board reviewed the data within the master facilities plan, reviewing each building within the district and their individual needs.  

A community survey was created and distributed electronically and physical copies were provided to those without internet access at the district office, Chippewa Falls Public Library and the Chippewa Falls Senior Center.  The community also received information via the Spring 2016 Cardinal Line along with a master facilities timeline (past and present).

TheBoard  considered a wide range of approaches based on data from community feedback.  The Board of Education discussed priorities based on that feedback, and it was agreed that Dr. Eliopoulos would work on getting different approaches drawn up to include price estimates and staging options.

Community Survey Results
Community Information Sessions - Participant Comments

June 2, 2016 Board Facilities Work Session II

The Board reviewed the cost of the four concepts they had considered at the previsou meetings.  Three of the four concepts were designed based on the feedback from the first community survey.  During this meeting, the Board considered the costs of the options and determined they were still too high.  They directed the team to develop options that would have a 2 mil impact, near $100 million.

Work Session II Presentation

June 30, 2016 Board Facilities Work Session III

The Board reviewed three options that ranged from approximately $100 to $120 million.  They considered the components of each plan and prioritized the contents further.  They narrowed their scope to two plans costing approximately $115 million, which has a 2 mil impact.  They chose to conduct a community-wide survey to gauge support for a $115 million price point and to determine preference between the two approaches.

Work Session III Presentation

July 21, 2016 Board Facilities Work Session IV

The Board reviewed the community survey data to determine whether or not there would be community support for a $115 million price point and if there was a preference between the two options presented.

After reviewing the survey data the Board directed Dr. Eliopoulos to hold community information sessions to allow the community an oppoturnity to hear more about both $115 million options.  These sessions would provide an opportunity for the community to give written feedback.  The community information sessions will be held the week of August 8, 2016.

Work Session IV Presentation

Community Information Sessions - District Facility Options

Dr. Heidi Eliopoulos, Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education will be holding community information sessions intended to provide information about district facility options.  Community members are invited to attend any or all of the following sessions and provide feedback.

August 16, 2016 Board Facilities Work Session V

The Board reviewed the process taken to date.  The final survey results were reviewed as well as the feedback received via exit slips at the five information sessions held.  They also discussed interest rates.  The Board agreed they would like to add an agenda item to the regular August Board meeting to vote on a possible resolution for the November 2016 election.

Work Session V Presentation
Community Feedback From the Information Sessions

August 25, 2016 and August 29, 2016 Special Board Meetings

The Board agreed to bring forward two resolutions on the November 2016 ballot.  Those resolutions are as follows:
 

Link to Referendum Webpage