Master Planning

It's the new year and many people and organizations make new years resolutions and set goals for themselves. Is it time for your school district to set their goals and create a master plan for growth? If you haven't been through this exercise maybe its time that you did. So how do you get started? As I have stated before, take time to plan.... you have to plan to plan. It is an investment in time to get organized and pull a team together that can assist you in all the different components of developing a master plan.

So what are the components of a master plan?
1. Demographic Study.
Typically the plan will include a demographic study that will project out a minimum of ten years. The study should outline certain areas in the district that are growing and note any declining trends. Also it should note any special populations that would need to be addressed to accommodate students with disabilities. The study should also review the practical and maximum capacity of your school buildings. This study is sometimes performed by district personnel, but most generally is outsourced to firms that specialize in demographic studies.

2. Building Condition Assessment.
This assessment should review all the components of your physical facilities. Roofing, Mechanical and Electrical systems, handicap accessibility, structural issues, hazardous materials (asbestos, lead paint for example), windows, doors and hardware, finishes such as carpet, vinyl tile and paint, kitchen equipment, and generally the overall condition of the building. It should also assess any historical value to the community. This assessment is usually performed by design professionals, architects and engineers.

3. Educational Adequacy.
This is a review of the building from a curriculum and education point of view. Does the building enable teaching? Are the core elements of the cafeteria, library, gyms, and offices large enough to handle growth? Are the components of the building properly placed, i.e. are quiet spaces adjacent to noisy spaces. Do we have the proper itinerate spaces for the programs that are offered? Is the land area adequate to properly address all the athletic and physical education needs?

4. Site Study
Evaluate sites that may need to be purchased for future growth.

Once all the information is gathered and compiled, you will need to prioritize the list. The school board would then need to adopt the findings and then set out a plan of how to implement the master plan. As in all planning exercises, excellent communications is needed from start to finish. Many districts find it advantageous to engage the community in this process. This allows community members to see the needs that the district has and be able to promote any changes that need to be made.
Realize that the master plan is a fluid document and would need to be updated at least every couple of years. If there is a drastic change in the community, such as the influx of students due to a new industry in the community, the master plan would need to updated appropriately.