The task force, led by co-facilitators and featuring participants from various backgrounds, including parents, former architects, city planners, and alumni, has been conducting thorough assessments of each school building. Their focus is on identifying the current and future needs of the district’s facilities to ensure they meet the evolving demands of students and staff. The task force has visited all schools, including the district service center and the Van Mo building, to gather firsthand insights.

A key theme emerging from the task force’s work is the need for flexible spaces. Members noted the importance of creating small, adaptable areas that can be used for different purposes, such as breakout groups for students or collaborative spaces for staff. Task force members emphasized the need for furniture that accommodates these versatile environments, and even discussed structural changes like removing unused lockers to create additional space.

The task force has also considered the limitations of real estate, discussing potential solutions such as acquiring more land or reconfiguring existing layouts to improve organization and efficiency. They have explored the various uses of outdoor spaces, like courtyards, at different schools and deliberated on how these areas might be better utilized to support educational activities.

Financial considerations have been acknowledged, but the task force has prioritized understanding the most critical needs and potential enhancements without being constrained by budget limitations. They have engaged with district staff, including special education and safety experts, to ensure comprehensive input is reflected in their recommendations. A community-wide survey and a district staff survey were conducted to gather broader perspectives.

The task force plans to provide the school board with a prioritized list of recommendations, which will include essential upgrades and potential projects for each building. These plans are being developed in collaboration with the district’s finance director and an architect, offering a detailed roadmap for future actions. All presentations and final reports will be accessible to the public on the district’s website, allowing community members to review the task force’s work and findings.