District 303 seeking firms to complete facility master plan
St. Charles Unit District 303 is seeking architectural firms to evaluate its building use and educational programming.
The school board on Monday unanimously approved issuing a request for qualifications to complete a long-range educational facility master plan. The process would provide officials with a "playbook" for better aligning student needs with district-owned properties and structures, administrators said.
Some school board members and residents have been requesting an up-to-date analysis of district facilities and programs for months, especially amid discussions over repurposing the now-shuttered Haines Middle School.
The last master plan was completed in 2008, when the district's building use and educational environment looked significantly different, officials said. Boundaries since have been altered and schools have closed to address a declining enrollment. Other facilities - including Thompson and Wredling middle schools - have been updated to enhance learning opportunities, and safety measures were added to all schools.
"Going forward, it's imperative for the school board to have a comprehensive evaluation of all district facilities and respective utilization to help with our long-term planning and strategy," board President Carolyn Waibel said.
The district operates 17 school sites, a transportation and maintenance facility, and an administration center. Most properties are located in St. Charles, but the district also falls into parts of South Elgin, Campton Hills and West Chicago.
The new plan would focus on ensuring schools are equitable, diverse, flexible, technology-rich and safe, among other qualifications, according to district documents.
But it also would address hot-button topics, such as eliminating or minimizing the need for mobile classrooms; looking at possible implications of extending the elementary school day; considering future boundary changes; and presenting options for undeveloped district-owned land.
Additionally, the chosen firm would have to provide cost estimates and implementation plans for all proposed improvements.
Recent information gathered by the district could be taken into account, including roof and mechanical studies, a space use analysis and a state-mandated, 10-year Health/Life Safety study that will be completed in December. Other key components include a by-school educational adequacy analysis and an evaluation of college and career, early childhood, vocational and extracurricular programming.
District officials have estimated the master plan could cost upward of $100,000. The project has a nearly 16-month timeline, with requirements to begin before Dec. 10 of this year and be completed by April 1, 2021.
Companies have until 3 p.m. Oct. 10 to submit statements of interest, qualifications and performance data to John Baird, assistant superintendent for operations. About three finalists will be chosen for an interview, and the final contract is expected to be awarded on Nov. 11.