June, 2018

Educational Alignment Study

Wold Ruck Pate, District 87’s architectural firm, recently presented the results of its Educational Alignment Study to the District 87 Board of Education. The 180-page in-depth report quantifies and qualifies how well each school facility is supporting the needs of students, staff administrators, and community members. The purpose of the study is to ensure that the school buildings are providing, and will continue to provide, the optimal learning environment for the district’s students.

The report is the culmination of visits by members of the architectural firm to each of the school buildings, their observations of each building’s space and how effectively it is used, and comprehensive interviews with school principals, administrators, and teachers.

Over 50 different aspects of each building were rated on how effectively they meet current and future learning needs. This very thorough study included such diverse items as site utilization, classroom size and use, lighting, electrical, windows, accessibility, and digital access.

The Board of Education has begun working with the architects and a facilities committee to identify priorities for each building. As good stewards of the district’s finances, the Board will strive to determine the approach that will provide the district with the most cost-effective long-term benefits, assuring that funds are used in the best ways to maximize learning. The district will seek the input and ideas of community members as a critical part of this process.

The results will be used in conjunction with the district’s Five-year Strategic Plan and Health/Life Safety Plan, with the goal of having a long-term solution determined by Spring 2019.