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Board presses consultants for ED specs and clearer timeline on renovation plan
Summary
Board members voiced frustration about delays and limited access to educational specifications and cost information for a major renovation project; consultants said a final draft could be expected by April, but trustees requested earlier drafts and a focused presentation to allow meaningful feedback.
Board members spent substantial time questioning the renovation timeline and the status of the educational specifications (ED specs) being developed by consultants (CSG) and architects. Several trustees said they had expected to see drafts earlier and expressed concern that key design and sizing decisions (for example, gym footprint and classroom layouts) are being worked out without board-wide review.
One board member relayed a direct concern heard at an ad hoc meeting: "Our current ED specs are double the size; we can't afford double our size," and said that the board needs clearer cost and square-footage context before endorsing a path forward. Staff and consultants told trustees that a final ED-specs draft is expected by April, but multiple trustees said the timeline and the late rollout of community engagement materials (a newsletter and survey) have impeded informed review.
Trustees asked staff to request a status update and to press consultants for either a current draft or a structured special meeting to show work in progress so the full nine-member board can provide timely feedback. Staff agreed to bring a timeline and to forward ad hoc committee materials to all board members so they can follow along between meetings.
Next steps: administrators said they will ask CSG and the architect to provide an update at the Friday ad hoc meeting and, where possible, present a current draft or a progress briefing to the full board ahead of community forums scheduled in March. Several trustees said they may decline to support a referendum or large funding request without first seeing realistic cost estimates and the ED specs in draft form.
