Cherry Creek School District
Master Planning & Capital Planning Informed By Data
In 2019, FOS was selected by Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) to deliver a districtwide assessment and facilities master plan to address its steadily-growing and diversifying student population while preserving equitable conditions for schools in the older neighborhoods of the district. We provided CCSD a comprehensive solution integrating a comprehensive facility condition assessment, technical and educational specifications, student-focused educational adequacy assessment, and innovative master planning and engagement process, resulting in a long-range capital strategy and near-term bond referendum plan. Our assessment approach captured a forecast of physical conditions and detailed evaluation of educational suitability based upon the educational vision and specifications developed in partnership with our PK-12 practice and Cherry Creek leadership.
This resulted in a district-wide facilities planning document that prioritized the needs of all schools, necessary facility upgrades, and modern trends in PK12 education. Stressing the importance of inclusive design for collaborative instruction, the master plan features high-impact renovations that go above and beyond basic maintenance repairs and transform existing facilities with innovative, new flexible learning spaces.
It was important to CCSD that construction work could still be performed in the summer and their staff maintain the ability to prepare for the next semester uninterrupted. To accommodate this request, our Sr Project Manager prepared a field work schedule using two teams and extended working hours in order to reduce the overall number of field weeks. This schedule compression kept the FCA on track for on-time delivery.
Capital Planning Informed By Data
In collaboration with District stakeholders, we facilitated the development of long-range outcomes and actionable projects in a deliberate series of planning workshops, placing diverse student needs and districtwide equity as primary core values. We engaged CCSD facility master plan design committees in meaningful dialog informed by real-time ‘what-if’ inquiry into our dynamic facility condition and adequacy database loaded with accurate, market-tested cost estimates, and collectively explored various capital planning strategies and scenarios.
By including representative stakeholder groups in an intentional data-driven planning process, we helped CCSD achieve a heightened level of ownership and enthusiasm for the results, as highlighted by more than 70% voter support for the District’s $150 million bond referendum in November 2020.
Added Value
While many clients utilize a facility condition assessment (FCA) to guide their master-planning and bond program preparation, it is uncommon for a District to engage multiple methods of planning and assessment into a single project. The five unique deliverables of educational specifications, educational adequacy assessment, FCA, technical specifications and a comprehensive master plan were all performed by FOS and CannonDesign. The value added to the client is stretched through the multifaceted investigation and delivery method using an integrated service model, single point of contact, concurrent scheduling, and robust deliverables. The overall benefit to CCSD is tangible not only in project delivery but also in execution with reduction of time required to manage the work by District staff.