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What did study groups take a look at with regard to school building needs?

What did study groups take a look at with regard to school building needs?

Seven study groups looked at school building needs. Staff, families and community members have been involved in much of this work. In-depth documents of each group's research can be found on the Jan. 10 school board work session page of the district website. A short summary of each group's work is as follows: 

  • The Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee has continued to study student enrollment, capacity and building use. The group has found that there is significant growth in portions of the district. Future housing and redevelopment are expected in these same areas. There are also some district facilities that are under capacity and in need of being addressed. 

  • The Furniture and Next Generation Learning Space groups studied furniture needs that would be best suited and adaptable to today’s learning needs. They found that districtwide media center and classroom improvements are required to meet these learning needs. 

  • The Career/Technical Education group looked at expansions to career/technical education classes at each of the comprehensive high schools and the Osseo Area Learning Center. In January of 2022, the board approved nine specialty strands created  from the group’s research. Facility adjustments and additional space are needed to continue building these learning paths.

  • The Community Education group looked at maximizing the use of space for Community Education programming and community needs requested through the facility use process. The group found that dedicating an entire building(s) to Community Education programming, and adding space for early education and areas frequently requested for community use, are required to meet these needs. 

  • The Specialized Services group looked at learning needs for special education, gifted and talented and English learner programs. The group found that adjusting classrooms, dedicating areas for specialized purposes and enabling flexibility of these areas are required to meet the learning needs of these programs.  

  • The Magnet Schools group looked at current magnet programming – science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) and health – and pathways that could potentially be added. The group found that dedicating areas for specialized purposes and adding space are required to meet the learning needs in these areas. 

An Oversight Task Force reviewed these details, prioritized them and made final recommendations to Superintendent McIntyre, who then shared his final recommendations to the board on April 25

building a better future vote

Last year’s community-approved technology levy funded the technology needed for safety/security improvements at district schools. The Phase II plan, if approved by voters, would address safety/security needs in relation to the physical school buildings. This includes improvements to the entrances at high schools and additional safety/security enhancements at all schools in order to meet district standards as well as the latest safety/security best practices. 

Learn More about I thought the 2022 levies addressed safety/security. What are the current needs?
  • Projects to improve safety/security would not proceed.
  • Crowded conditions and large class sizes would continue. Attendance boundary adjustments would be required at all levels to provide relief, which is estimated to move 6,000 students from their current schools. 
  • Learning spaces would continue to age and become less relevant. 
  • Inconsistent learning experiences would continue.
  • Budget cuts would be required. Projected to be at least $31 million (approx. 300 jobs).
Learn More about What happens if the ballot question is not approved by voters?

Building a Better Future, Phase II, builds upon the work already started in Phase I and the district’s new strategic plan. These are the school building improvements that would continue that forward movement. Note: These proposed projects were determined through a multi-year research process that involved students, staff, families and community members.

Learn More about What school building needs are being addressed in the Phase II plan?

At its Jan. 10 work session, board members heard from various study groups on their facility needs findings throughout the district. The teams were: Enrollment and Capacity Management Advisory Committee, Furniture and Next Generation Learning Space, Career/Technical Education, Community Education, Specialized Services, and Magnet Schools. Visit the school board document page for each group's in-depth research

Learn More about What did study groups take a look at with regard to school building needs?