Community focus groups announced for facilities plan input | Children

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Planning for the future was the catalyst which prompted the Board of Education to commission an updated master facilities plan. Now it is the community’s turn to weigh in.

“This facilities plan update is not just an update,” said John Thompson, board member and operations committee chairman.

“The Board has elected to use the update process at least every five years to engage the community in shaping how we use our facilities including what areas of instruction will best prepare our students to be college and career ready.  We want to hear from business and industry, parents, students, and anyone interested in shaping our future. This is an exciting time in the history of education as we adapt to a changing world around us that will prepare every child for their future.”

Background:

Following the commission of the study in October, 2012 a Master Facility Plan Task Force comprised of community members, representatives from community agencies, and school personnel convened to make a recommendation to the Board of the firm to lead the process.  KBR Building Group based out of Charlotte, North Carolina was awarded the contract and immediately began working with the task force, Board, and superintendent’s cabinet.

The task force quickly and collaboratively developed the mission of the project: 

Establish a community driven collective vision of the future to identify the new and existing educational programs best suited to produce college and career ready high school graduates and determine the learning environments and facilities to support them.

The project is divided into four phases: 

• Phase 1:  Project Initiation (complete)
• Phase 2:  Information Gathering (in-process)
• Phase 3:  Solutions
• Phase 4:  Final Master Plan and Report

The information gathering phase of plan development is near completion. In November and December, KBR conducted individual interviews and small focus groups with approximately 275 individuals; including teachers, staff, students, parents, and other members of our community…now we need the rest of our community to weigh in!

Community Focus Groups:

The public is encouraged to attend community focus groups to share opinions about how Brunswick County Schools can best support the educational needs of our students;  the more participation the more accurate the report. 

Meetings are scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - North Brunswick High School - 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - South Brunswick High School - 6:30 p.m

Thursday, January 24, 2013 - West Brunswick High School - 6:30 p.m.

Everyone interested in our school system and facilities should attend and be part of the future of Brunswick County Schools.

Presentation of the updated facilities master plan report is anticipated later this spring.

For more information about the facilities master plan or community focus groups contact Steve Miley, executive director of operations at smiley@bcswan.net or 910-274-1048.