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Why have a district-wide facilities plan?
by William Wood
A district wide facilities plan will provide a clear long-range vision for the future of each school in your school district. The foundation for such a plan would be the best enrolment forecasts that can be developed based on all available demographic data as well as information about future residential development. A district wide facilities strategy would address major deficiencies of all existing school buildings with broad plans for upgrading or replacement over the timeframe of the plan - typically ten or fifteen years. A comprehensive facilities plan would reflect all relevant educational and operational policies from administration and the School Board.
A thorough district wide facilities plan would explore the costs and benefits associated with a wide range of service delivery alternatives and building options. The nature of these possibilities will vary with each school district, but could include alternative grade configurations and catchment area realignment. Key evaluation criteria for each future scenario will be the resultant school utilization levels and total anticipated capital expenditure.
The comprehensive analysis un der lying a district wide plan will make it easier to achieve consensus among senior administrators and the Board regarding a shared vision for the future. A documented and approved district wide facilities plan that reflects this shared vision becomes a valuable resource in formulating annual capital plans. Each proposed construction Editor's note: William Wood is the principal of Matrix Planning Associates and has been a planning consultant for 32 years. He has prepared district-wide and area-wide facilities plans for many British Columbia school districts.
project fits into the framework of a long-range plan for the whole district.
This enhances the credibility of each capital project and provides continuity in the annual capital planning process. A district wide facilities plan also provides guidance regarding the allocation of limited annual maintenance funds.
A district wide facilities plan will furnish the rationale for making hard choices like school closures. Such a plan will help administrators and the Board remain focused on the benefits of the long-term vision in the face of interest group resistance to specific actions. In short, a district wide facilities plan can be your compass as you navigate your school district into the perpetually uncertain future.
CERTIFICATION UPDATE SPOA's certification program continues.
Members are reminded that the grandfathering window that closes on Dec. 31, 2004. All members who wish to take advantage of this opportunity need to submit their applications.
For those members who are not eligible for this grandfathering opportunity, SPOA and SPOSA will have the examination process available for them by the end of the calendar year.
