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Master Plan 2015

Master Plan 2015

A Master Plan for building on success

In 2005, a committee comprised of educators, engineers, architects and community members assembled to chart a course for improving the conditions of Bainbridge Island School District facilities.

The 2005 committee reviewed educational specifications and current research on how facilities support best learning practices throughout the district. They set priorities and goals for building, land and space development, and produced the Facilities Master Plan—a living document and road map to direct facility improvement decisions district-wide.

Facility improvements to date

Recommendations from the 2005 plan resulted in major improvements, including the replacement of Bainbridge High School’s 200 Building in 2009, additional science rooms at BHS and Commodore Options School, a new commons area at Commodore, BHS stadium track and field replacement, and the opening of a maintenance facility in spring, 2010.

In 2012, replacement of Captain Charles Wilkes Elementary School transformed four worn-out brick buildings, failing septic system and temporary portables, into an award-winning model of school design. The Master Plan also launched numerous smaller projects across the district.

A New Steering Committee was formed in January 2015, to bring the road map up to date. The review included understanding how intentional building design supports and enriches innovative curriculum. Comprehensive facility goals were compared to the district’s mission, vision and guiding principles. Attention was focused on determining how to best serve the curriculum needs of all students while acting as wise stewards of taxpayer dollars. The committee’s work utilized the facilities Study and Survey conducted last spring. The survey identified that four buildings are in poor condition.

 

Four buildings show greatest need

Despite winning accolades for academics, the 50-year-old Captain Johnston Blakely Elementary School is at the end of its serviceable life. The BHS 100 Building, Ordway, and Commodore also have inadequate spaces and infrastructure deficiencies that cannot support 21stcentury educational best practices. The committee evaluated three alternatives to address the facility conditions; postponement with minimal patch/repair, modernization and replacement. Concerns were expressed regarding escalation costs associated with repair and replacement. In addition, classroom space requirements under the McCleary decision and Initiative 1351 were considered. The committee also supports and understands the need for on-going asset preservation district-wide.

During an open public meeting this spring, the Master Plan Committee presented to the board of directors a summary of findings, cost estimates and tax implications. Recognizing that four buildings require replacement or significant investment, they acknowledged that addressing all of the needs in one bond would be burdensome for the taxpayer. Ultimately,  the board of directors chose to initially focus on the replacement of Blakely and the BHS 100 Building. The final Master Plan will include a timeline for future project completion. Committee recommendations will form the framework for decisions by the school district’s board of directors regarding future bond requests. Next steps include community input.

Master Plan Meetings 2015