Superintendent Andy Gardner told the Greater Albany Public Schools Board on Aug. (regular meeting) that the district has completed Oregon Department of Education facility assessments and has engaged Sage Architecture to lead a long‑range facilities planning process.

Gardner said the district used two TAP grants to fund much of the work and that the advisory committee currently has 24 members, including two board liaisons the board appointed at the meeting. “We have completed those facility assessments,” Gardner said, and the consultant will finalize an executive summary and facility data to inform the community process.

The district plans monthly committee meetings and community input, with the consultant collecting on‑site reviews and director and principal interviews. The timeline shared with the board targets draft district concepts and priorities in February and a board presentation of a recommended plan by June 2026. Gardner said the district will present updated population projections and a bond/polling update during the winter months.

Staff noted the district's bond history, pointing to a substantial facilities tax rate increase after the 2007 bond that funded new construction and renovations. The superintendent told the board that ODE assessments, a long‑range plan and polling will shape any future bond or capital proposal.

Board members voted to appoint two board members to the Long‑Range Facilities Advisory Committee to act as liaisons. The board was told the committee will include parents, staff and community representatives and will follow a monthly meeting schedule; Sage Architecture's Amy Vose will lead the consultant work.

The district also plans community listening sessions and open houses to widen input beyond committee members. Superintendent Gardner said he and staff will coordinate communications and return to the board with a draft communications plan and survey results to guide outreach.

Board members and staff discussed committee size and membership balance, the potential need for frequent catch‑up briefings and the committee's responsibility to remain advisory: the board retains final decisions on priorities and any ballot measures.

The board asked staff to ensure committee members understand the time commitment and to arrange meeting times to maximize participation. Staff said some funding for the consultant work came from TAP grants and that additional federal/state or bond dollars would be used for construction projects after planning and approval.