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| Columbia High School Students, Nampa, Idaho |
Our schools
are the training grounds of our future citizens and leaders, and the quality of
our school facilities has a profound impact on staff and student health and
student learning. A well-conceived
facility master plan provides a durable tool and roadmap for faculty,
facilities managers, and district administrators. It is a vital component in the responsible
and cost-effective management of an educational organization.
Benefits of
Facilities Master Planning
A facilities master plan helps school districts
identify both urgent and long-term facilities needs in terms of maintenance,
operations, replacement, consolidation, and even closure. It helps staff manage priorities proactively,
rather than reactively, which is especially beneficial for districts with
limited resources.
A good master plan identifies potential facility
issues before they become critical and expensive problems. It will also help reduce operational and life
cycle costs of the physical plant by detailing timely and appropriate maintenance
activities. Less money spent on building
upkeep means more flexibility in funding educational programs.
When the physical plant is well managed and
maintained, energy use is reduced and teaching environments are safer and
healthier for all.
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| Vo-tech training is increasingly important in today's education plans. |
Basic Steps
The professional master planning consultant will
begin with conversations with the District administration to establish an
overall timeline and identify key participants (the Master Plan Team). The program includes four parts.
Part 1 – Research, Study and Analysis
The consultant leads an initial workshop with all
the participants to establish and clarify expectations, goals and
objectives. This is followed by a
comprehensive study including: land use
assessment, infrastructure, building/facilities condition, transportation,
demographic trends, facility utilization, energy performance, economics, and
educational suitability. The results of the studies are analyzed and shared
with the Master Plan Team.
Part 2 – Alternative Land Use Phase
Where applicable, the master plan will
address: planning and design concepts;
pedestrian and non-pedestrian circulation; recreation and open space; transit,
circulation and parking; climate and environmental factors; design guidelines;
and building and massing studies.
Part 3 – Definitive District Site Plans
For each site the master plan will include a draft
development plan, estimate of probable project costs and proposed project
phasing.
Part 4 – Master Plan Recommendations
The consultant will work with the district to
refine the plan and develop exhibits. At
this time, the Master Plan is published.
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| Today's digital laboratories require specialized infrastructure and secured systems. |
A Master
Plan Should
§ Promote
“best practice” recommendations, not mandates.§ Coordinate facility activities throughout the organization.
§ Consider and account for changing educational needs and the impact to infrastructure.
§ Educate school and district administrators about facility operations.
§ Teach faculty and staff how they can help with facilities maintenance.
Getting
Started
§ Consult with a professional architect or planner.§ Commit to a team approach – School Board, District Administrators, Educators, Staff
§ Welcome multiple perspectives and engage multiple disciplines
§ Allow the process to take the necessary time
Sergio A. Martinez, Jr. brings nearly 40 years of experience planning
and designing projects for public owners, including 17 Arizona school
districts. He is an architect and
project manager with CSHQA in Phoenix.
