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Which Option?

 
 
Which Option? The Process.
 
thumbtack
Update: See the PowerPoint presentation from the July 8, 2013 Board Meeting that explains the matrix to be used to narrow the number of concepts. 
 
More than 100 years ago, the great American architect Louis Sullivan coined the phrase, "form follows function." Developing a form for the high school that is appropriate to the site and the educational function is the responsibility of our design team.
 
Which Option Graphic
From an infinite number of designs that can be created for the Westerly Parkway site or any other, the Board of School Directors must select one that is educationally appropriate, affordable, equitable, and suitable to the site. As a first step in narrowing down the choices, the design team identified six concepts based on an educational model for the high school program.
 
Concepts are a "30,000 foot view" of the project, not a specific design. Once preferred concepts have been identified, one or more options will be created. Selection of the final option is the responsibility of the Board of School Directors. From the final option the design team will create a schematic design which includes a site plan, floor plan(s), overall dimensions, a cost estimate, and illustrations such as computer images and renderings.
 
To help guide the District's design team to develop one or more concepts further into specific options, the Board is soliciting input using a variety of approaches. These include:
 
  • An opinion survey (recently mailed to a representative sample of over 6500 randomly selected residents across the SCASD)
  • Open community discussions held at each elementary school
  • Presentations and forums held at several area retirement communities and a variety of area civic groups
  • A digital dropbox at www.scasd.org for individuals to comment on any aspect of the high school project
The Board has asked its Citizen Advisory Committees (CACs) for Athletics, Facilities, Finance, Technology, and Safety and the design team to submit potential evaluation criteria. The Board's Subcommittee on Culture, Climate and Learning (CCL) will collate the suggestions and ask stakeholder groups, including PTO and booster presidents and CAC members, to prioritize the criteria. The feedback will be refined into a list of criteria, weighted to reflect community values and concerns, to help the Board evaluate concepts and options. (At the top of this page, you can see the PowerPoint presentation that explains this.)
 
Once the Board has selected a preferred option, and the design team has completed its schematic design, the community will have the opportunity to confirm our work through a referendum authorizing the Board to issue bonds to fund the project. After a successful referendum, the design team will use the schematic design to develop buildable plans.