Stakeholder Engagement in the Process
- Who are the decision-making groups?
- Who else is involved?
DLR Group’s experience with engaging communities in the process will lead to an Educational Master Facility Plan that incorporates BPS101’s vision, pedagogy, student experience, educational readiness, and environmental goals. Their approach is a highly collaborative one in which they will generate and analyze information, share ideas, develop options, and offer guidance in decision making. DLR Group believes it is their “responsibility to challenge District stakeholders to think differently about the facilities and how they can help become assets toward continued excellence in academics and operations.”
The Core Team is a group of community members with diverse experience and staff members from a variety of roles. They are empowered to help make intermediate determinations and provide input to the architectural and engineering team. The Core Team is charged to do so while considering all perspectives and information presented with the best interest of the District and its vision in mind. The Core Team will present final recommendations to the Board of Education.
In DLR Group’s experience, the most impactful plans have been when the community has witnessed first-hand through participation in coordinated community events and tours, the value behind the changes proposed (i.e. equity and access to programs and spaces, congestion, space/equipment improvements, etc.). Being able to understand the experience of students and staff has helped provide perspective and value. Community meetings and open houses are held during Phases 1, 2, 4 and 5 of the EMFP process. Updates are also provided throughout the process at the Board of Education meetings.
Staff members have had many opportunities to participate in the process. Staff members at each school were invited to meet with DLR Group at each the conclusion of the day of student shadowing for listening tours. Staff members were also asked to assess their satisfaction with thermal and visual comfort as it relates to Indoor Environmental Quality. Additionally, DLR Group learned more about the instructional needs of the teachers and how this might impact our learning spaces. Teachers completed instructional activity logs and participated in Curriculum and Instruction workshops.
Students have been included in the EMFP process through a series of on-site student shadowing days and workshops. Students from every grade level were shadowed as they went through their daily routine, including students in special or advanced programs. Students from grades 5-12 were also selected to participate in workshops on the future of teaching and learning, giving their input in that way. Students from the Eco-CLub, alongside business partners, teachers, and community members, also participated in a VALUES sustainability workshop with DLR Group. Students at various grade levels have been involved in collecting environmental data. All surveys distributed to the school and local community are open for students to take, as well.
Additionally, participation from various stakeholder groups such as teachers, PTOs, Music Buffs, Batavia Bulldog Boosters, and STAGE has been sought out. Through personal invitations and presentations, participation has been high.
