Schmidt Associates presents district-wide facilities assessment; board hears priorities, demographic outlook

Schmidt Associates presented a district-wide facilities assessment to the New Albany-Floyd County School Board during a March 3 work session, walking board members through building-condition scores, space-program evaluations and a draft prioritized list of projects. No decisions were taken; the presentation was described as an assessment phase and a basis for future options and public input.

Kyle Miller, project manager for Schmidt Associates, said the study started more than a year earlier and included staff input sessions at each building, an engineering assessment (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and a live programming database that models space, current enrollment and alternative configurations. He said the firm scored systems and spaces on 0-to-4 scales to identify urgent items and longer-term needs.

Superintendent Dr. Madison emphasized the process orientation of the evening: "no decisions have been made. This is going to be a process," he told the board. Schmidt's presentation covered condition scores (building envelopes, interior finishes, mechanical/electrical/plumbing, technology and site), utilization and programming (classroom sizes, cafeteria and gym capacity, special education and support spaces), and a prioritized cost summary…