Parkway candidates point to aging buildings, Prop S and Facility 2050 planning as long-term priorities

Candidates at the Parkway School District candidate forum said aging buildings and long-term facility planning are among the district’s most important strategic issues.

John Kilper, a candidate and longtime volunteer, called aging facilities a major challenge and said the district’s Facilities 2050 planning (referenced as “Facilities 2,050” at the forum) must tackle both immediate repairs and longer-term design questions. “What do we want schools to look like in the future?” Kilper asked, calling for community input on facility design and learning-space needs.

Jeffrey Spector, an incumbent board member, described the Facilities 2050 work as both short-term fixes—“leaky roofs” and HVAC repairs—and long-term planning that could include building new schools or consolidating older ones. Spector also referenced the district’s recent bond work, saying the Prop S campaign “is going a long way” to bring buildings up to date but questioned how long retrofit work will remain sustainable.

Ali Seacote noted limited land in the Parkway footprint and said major rebuilds or consolidations would require careful logistical planning for displaced students. Mia Robinson urged creative and sustainable approaches, saying environmentally friendly updates can both improve learning environments and save money over time.

All candidates said immediate attention should be paid to safety-related repairs and to planning that aligns physical spaces with modern teaching and learning needs. No formal board action was taken at the forum.