Agenda

Focus…focus…focus!

Meeting Objectives

• 1. PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE OUR DECISIONS

• 2. PROCESS TO FOCUS OUR WORK• 3. PROGRESS ON IDENTIFICATION

OF NEEDS

1. Principles• Before we get into details,

let’s agree on principles that will inform our evaluation.

• Let’s sprint through a few guiding principles that have been tossed around and decide what we’re going to use as our “filters” to the decision-making process.

The Kids

• Common agreement

• Vague• Doesn’t help

distinguish between legitimate needs

Bond package that will pass

• No one knows that the community won’t support any given level of legitimate need

• Doesn’t help distinguish between legitimate needs

Given cap on bond amount• Dr. Waddell targeted max

of around $100 million• Survey results suggested

around $75 million as safest bet

• Same limitations as using passing bond package as primary filter

• Necessary as end filter for developing package

High schools first?

• Age and overcrowding are undeniable• Which high school comes first?• Do we then ignore other legitimate, even

urgent, needs at other schools?• Begs the question: What is the principle,

other than politics, that establishes this as the primary filter?

Elementaries first?

• Age and overcrowding are undeniable in many schools

• Same issues as leading with high schools• Doesn’t help when faced with low student

population in aging facility

All kids in the BISD deserve an objectively safe and effective

learning environment• Some argue that kids whose parents don’t vote come

second to kids in more politically active areas• Need metrics to ensure that upgrades today aren’t torn

down for reconstruction or demolition for entirely new facilities in relatively near future

• “Effective” learning environment must be specifically defined as one meeting experienced educators’ assessments of minimum functional requirements in order to provide assurance that political or personal agendas are excluded.

• The objective standard is your collective experience.

Needs, not wants• Citizens want frugal

oversight of funds• Currently lack

objective criteria for ranking needs

• Demands credible evaluation to define “needs” and policy framework for hard choices

Objective evaluation of needs over ends-based packaging

• Would be an a-political basis for decisions• Would support the “every child”

commitment• Metrics have not been established • Might lead to unattractive bond amount• Needs likely to exceed capacity of even

aggressive package

From Principles to Process

• Wake up! It’s time to move on!

2. Process

• In order to work through the many issues confronting our sub-committee, we must adopt a process

• We all must honor our adopted principles and process

• We all must contribute

Understandings

• Voters will respect objective needs of the kids, if evidence supports our determination of needs

• Voters could pass a bond, if at a low amount, that doesn’t meet the long-term best interests of all of the kids in the BISD

• We have an opportunity to make a long-term difference in thousands of kids’ lives

First Step

Adopt categories to rank priorities and objective measures to

distinguish needs within categories

Second Step

Work in three groups to efficiently examine information provided on each school in order to classify

and rank needs

Third Step

Secure guidance from Administration on crucial policies

that will help select among alternative cures and competing

needs

Fourth Step

Apply objective measures and policy guidance to brainstorm

alternative solutions with architect (without applying end filters)

Fifth Step

Eliminate least efficient (evaluated over long-term) solutions using

objective measures and policy guidance

Sixth Step

Apply end filters to adjust and select between alternative

packages that will meet immediate needs (Priority One at a minimum)

Seventh Step

Group the balance of existing and anticipated needs into proposed time frames for resolution as part

of long-term capital plan

Classification of Needs

• Priority One – Essential for this bond package– Health and Safety

• Examples: Access and egress• Caution: Easy to abuse this classification. We must have

compelling evidence and arguments

– Minimum Functional Requirements• Facility Operation such as HVAC• Instruction such as Pre-K classrooms, Elementary Science

labs• See below regarding Overcrowding

Classification of Needs

• Priority Two – Critical Overcrowding needs that demand urgent action– Overcrowding may cause a Priority One problem!

If so, that’s where it should be classified– Portables – PE / Athletics locker rooms

Classification of Needs

• Priority Three - Long-range vision– Efficiency – Innovation – Technol, if not addressed as

Priority One or Two– FCI model for repair / replacement of existing

facilities– Special circumstances

• Example: Foster Village

Form Three Working Groups

Elementary, Middle, and High School by expertise or interest

3. ProgressPriority One

Health and Safety

• The Facilities Subcommittee is primarily responsible for health and safety issues, but we should add special knowledge or experience.– Do you personally know of any injuries

caused by conditions in our schools?– Do you personally know of any other

condition that demands consideration by Facilities?

Priority OneMinimum Functional Requirements

• Identify CLASSROOM SPECIFIC failures for any school in your classification to meet what you consider to be minimum requirements for instruction

• Determine if athletics and fine arts facilities should be considered as “classrooms”

• Same for Career Tech• DO NOT MENTION cost or “end filters”

Priority OneMinimum Functional Requirements

• Do you want or need any additional information or school tours?

• Next: Move forward to Priority Two –Overcrowding