Building Project Update #8 - May 5, 2008
Schematic site options and floor plans for the new high school are
continuing to be developed.
Elementary staff members reviewed schematic floor plans of the new
elementary school that had been revised according to the input received
during the previous discussions and the information provided in the Phase 1
worksheets. Staff gave ATS&R additional input and information to continue
the plan development.
The Implementation Team met and gave direction to the architects. Options
will be developed by ATS&R using the direction given by the team members.
The architects continue to work on both the elementary and high school
plans that will be shared with staff and committee members.
Building Project Update #7 - April 21, 2008
Schematic site layout options and floor plans for the new elementary school
were developed and shown to staff members for input. Staff members
reviewed floor plans of the new elementary school that had been revised
according to the input received during the previous discussions.
An elementary preliminary 3-D model and colored floor plans were available
at the meetings for staff input.
The Implementation Team met and discussed district-wide issues such as
technology, food service, storage and partnerships with other entities.
Meetings were set for further discussion of technology, materials, systems
and sustainability.
The Elementary Design Team met and gave direction for standards to be used
in the new elementary school. The Team also indicated a preferred site
layout.
Building Project Update #6 - April 14, 2008
An evaluation of the space needs defined by the master schedule currently
in place at the high school has been completed by the architect. The
findings are being compared to the space needs and facility parameters of
the preliminary program developed for the new high school.
Draft layout options for the high school site are being developed.
A meeting for all high school staff was held on April 9 to explain the
planning process and to show some high school facility images that may
helpful in planning the new DHS. Also, the first meetings with high school
departments were held and input was gathered in order to better locate and
size the spaces needed in the new building.
The Facility Planning Committee met on April 9 and Ms. Magney, ATS&R,
presented an update of the planning process for both the elementary school
and the high school.
The architects are refining the elementary plans to suit the elementary
program needs as well as stay within the square footage allotment. Work is
being done on a preliminary 3-D model and colored floor plans for
presentation.
Elementary staff will be reviewing the preliminary floor plans generated
from discussions held with them during the latter part of March.
Building Project Update #5 - March 31, 2008
District officials and the architects met to discuss issues concerning the site for the new elementary school.
The architects began the work of applying the elementary staff ideas and thoughts to the floor plan of the prototype elementary school.
The High School Design Team met on March 17. They met to discuss the planning process and their role. Members also viewed the presentation “Educational Directions” which listed aspects of teaching and learning and showed examples of high school spaces that could support them. The group brainstormed ideas and considerations for the new high school.
On March 18, school staff and community members carpooled to Crown Point, Indiana, to tour the Crown Point High School and then to Bolingbrook, Illinois, to tour the Bolingbrook High School. The touring group learned about the buildings by talking with the principal and staff members as well as by observing first-hand how the spaces serve their functions.
Building Project Update #4 - March 24, 2008
The architects met with an official from the Regional Office of Education
on Tuesday, March 10, to review the progress on the plans for the new
DeKalb High School and the new elementary school which will be built in
Cortland. Documents will be submitted to the ROE according to the
scheduled discussed.
The Elementary Design Team had a busy schedule on March 11. They were
bussed to Belvidere to tour Seth Whitman Elementary School which is being
used as a prototype for the school to be built in Cortland. Staff and
community members learned about the building by talking with Seth Whitman
staff members and by observing first-hand how the spaces serve their
functions
When the Design Team returned from the tour they met to discuss the
planning process and their role. Members also viewed a presentation called "Educational Directions" which listed aspects of teaching and learning and
showed how school spaces would support them. The group brainstormed ideas,
talked about the spaces they had seen on the tour, and shared the positives
about the building as well as the questions they have about it.
The Facility Planning Committee met on March 11 and received an update
about the progress of the Elementary Design Team. They also discussed the
approaches to construction of the projects and decided to recommend to the
Board of Education that a general contractor be used for both projects.
The architects met with staff members at Cortland Elementary on March 12.
The staff met as a whole for an introduction to the planning process and
then as individuals or teams to communicate their initial ideas. Each
individual or team received a Phase 1 worksheet to complete that will be
used to place functions properly in the building and on the site.
Building Project Update #3 - March 17, 2008
The Citizen Financial Advisory Council met this week to discuss options for Bond Funding with the district financial advisors.
The Elementary Design Team members have been identified, and the architects
have been preparing materials for their first meeting which is scheduled
March 11, 2008 after the tour of Seth Whitman Elementary School in Belvidere.
The architects will be meeting this week with officials at the Regional
Offices of Education to review the building planning process.
The Facility Planning Committee will be meeting on March 11, 2008 to
discuss the construction process.
Building Project Update #2 - March 10, 2008
Funding details are being worked out with the district financial advisors.
The Elementary Design Team members have been identified and the architects
have been preparing materials for their first meeting which is scheduled
March 11 after the tour of Seth Whitman Elementary School in Belvidere.
The architects will be meeting this week with officials at the Regional
Offices of Education to review the building planning process.
A community group interested in a potential stadium on the site of the new
high school will be meeting with the architects to discuss costs and site
requirements.
The District Facility Planning Committee will be meeting on March 11 to
discuss the construction process. |
