The team reviewed shifts in preK-12 teaching and learning that are a part of SD U-46’s vision and supported by research, and how these have begun to manifest into a draft Educational Specifications document. The Steering Committee is beginning to see how the vision for teaching and learning ties into the planning process.

The draft Ed Specs includes diagrams to demonstrate the space needs and adjacencies, the Steering Committee is impressed with the level of detail that is assessed within this document.

The Steering Committee appreciates how the process of building facility recommendations includes District input, data gathering, and is supported by research literature, not just preferences.

Recommendations have been developed with input from program leaders within SD U-46, and the Steering Committee is deferring to and trusting the expertise of the professional educators along with DLR Group to ensure that these high-level recommendations are what are best for students.

The Steering Committee began discussions around the potential implications for incorporating some major shifts in the delivery of education for SD U-46's youngest learners and students in middle grades.

Reviewed a variety of methodologies to begin prioritizing work at SD U-46 schools, and the many considerations in play during this process to ensure the District gets the greatest impact for their efforts.

While the Committee saw these various considerations that must be evaluated with SD U-46 facilities during the decision-making process, teaching and learning remains at the center of discussions.

The Steering Committee acknowledges that a student's learning and school experience is multifaceted – peers, teachers, educational programs and program access, school building and site amenities, etc. are elements that need to be considered.

We discussed the difference between equity and equality and how this applies to the committee's work as it relates to the Educational Facility Master Plan.

The Steering Committee realizes that, for stakeholders to believe in this process, there is a great deal of communication that must occur.

As we move through the process, the Steering Committee sees the need to educate community members on buildings and conditions that are not in their neighborhoods or on the other side of the District. The existing building tours provided insight into opportunities for improvement to provide more equitable student experiences, program availability and access, and facility conditions.

We’ve had an opportunity to tour existing schools within School District U-46 to better understand what current conditions exist.

We’ve participated in virtual school tours of various schools throughout the country to see what other districts are doing and how space and features support what they are doing.

The virtual tours have helped open our eyes to the possibilities that could be brought to School District U-46. 

We are enjoying the process and progress – there is a lot to digest along the way!

Steering Committee took virtual tours of renovated and new schools across the country.

Members fo the Steering Committee toured U-46 schools.

The message related to the EFMP process should be continuously honed and shared with the community.

There are enough people on the Steering Committee with diverse perspectives to generate ideas that will help School District U-46 develop their master plan for the future. They are here to do the work!

Inclusivity isn't just physical; it is about accessibility and ensuring a welcoming environment for all families.

The Steering Committee wants to make sure that they do the best work possible to positively guide SD U-46 into the future.

Regardless of when members were in school, impacts and memories of those experiences have stayed with them!

The Steering Committee acknowledges the amount of work required to develop the Educational Facility Master Plan (EFMP) and that opportunities will exist to involve the communities for which they represent.

The Steering Committee supports exploring changes to school buildings to improve the environment for teaching and learning and subsequently provide a benefit to the communities where they are located.

The SD U-46 model of providing equity in learning opportunities for all (all means all) holds a lot of resonance with the Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee is a dedicated team of various U-46 stakeholders who are feeling supported and welcomed in the process to develop SD U46 EFMP!

The Steering Committee encourages more efforts to inform the community that the EFMP process is underway.

The EFMP is a complex process but organized in both process steps and goals for sharing out.

Through community partnerships and a focused process, the EFMP will help build an exciting road map of milestones to support the SD U-46 community, school district, and students.

The EFMP will be co-created through the conversations and effort of the Steering Committee, District representation, and DLR Group. It's not a preconceived plan but seeks the input of the SD U-46 community to decide what should be included.

The Steering Committee and EFMP represents and is accountable to all U-46 communities.

It's important that clarity of language and intent throughout development of the EFMP is maintained (not lingo) for the greatest understanding by the broader community and Board of Education.

Steering Committee members bring a great variety of experiences, perspectives, and SD U-46 partner representation to the process.