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MMSD project teams enter 50% schematic phase for referendum schools; input sessions scheduled
Summary
District building services updated the board on planning for seven referendum schools, saying 50% schematic designs are due April 1 and listing community and student input sessions planned in March and April.
Madison Metropolitan School District building and design staff told the operations work group on March 10 that the facilities work tied to the 2024 facilities referendum is in early schematic design and community outreach phases.
Scott Chiak and project leads described a multi‑month schedule of user groups, benchmarking tours and community visioning. Staff said a 50% schematic design milestone for the seven major phase‑1 sites is slated for April 1; that milestone provides a cost and program check to confirm designs align with the district's budget targets and learning goals.
Staff said they completed listening sessions in February with administrators and user groups at four phase‑1 schools and planned school‑level public input sessions the week of the meeting (for example, Sherman and Blackhawk input events). The project team plans additional public and student sessions through spring and into September for more detailed design review and cost refinements.
District staff told the board they are studying sustainability options (geothermal, electrification) and are working with city staff on wellhead protection issues at specific sites, which affects whether shallow or deep geothermal systems are feasible. The team also said it is exploring options to convert some high schools into independent food hubs for meal service as part of operations planning.
Staff said they will return with a larger update in April showing benchmark tours and community input, and that programming decisions intended to make new or renovated buildings flexible for several decades will prioritize adaptable learning spaces, performing arts/"cafetitorium" areas, and both "dirty" (CTE/tech ed) and sterile (STEM/robotics) labs based on early feedback.
