Board selects Insight Design Studios to lead facility assessment, timeline aims for March bond vote

The McPherson Public Schools Board of Education approved Insight Design Studios as the district’s architectural services provider and directed the firm to begin building facility assessments and long-range planning work.

Dwayne Cashier, representing Insight Design Studios, told the board the firm will survey buildings, produce building “report cards” assessing physical condition and educational adequacy, and engage staff and community members in listening sessions. The timeline presented estimated assessments and community engagement through August–December with a potential ballot placement in March if the planning and pricing align and statutory windows are met.

Board members said they valued continuity of team members throughout a multi-year bond and planning process; Insight representatives said they keep a small dedicated office or team for each client so project continuity is preserved.

The board discussed statutory limits on bond election dates in Kansas and heard that only certain dates (August, November, March) are now allowed by statute for bringing a bond issue. The presenter and board emphasized that March would be a target only if assessments, enrollment studies and pricing were complete in time.

The motion to approve the selection passed unanimously. Final contract terms and a formal contract will be returned to the board for approval; the selection allows Insight to begin facility assessments immediately.

Board members and the presenter also discussed outreach strategy for bonds, including focusing engagement efforts on “swing” voters and listening to both supporters and opponents during community conversations.

No bond amount or contract value was presented at the meeting; the board approved the selection to begin assessments and planning.