A committee of faculty and staff members will look at how facilities can support the needs of the district. | File photo
A committee of faculty and staff members will look at how facilities can support the needs of the district. | File photo
The Champaign Unit 4 School District announced a new series of steps Monday aimed at developing a district-wide facilities plan.
The board will create a special subcommittee with two components. The first will be formed of faculty and staff members who will look at how facilities can support the needs of elementary, middle and high schools in the district. A second group of representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Black Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corp., and the Mass Transit District will join with community members and elected officials from Champaign, Savoy and the Champaign Park District to develop suggestions for facility locations, partnerships and funding options.
The second group will review the recommendations of the first group and then make its final recommendations to the school board for consideration.
“We are excited about this opportunity to re-engage the community on this important issue,” Board of Education President Chris Kloeppel said. “We anticipate a fairly short timeline for the Tier Two committee to complete its work, as there is a considerable amount of research that has already been completed and groundwork that has been laid. However, through a new lens and with voices from every corner of our community at the table, we hope to formulate a plan that addresses our educational needs and garners wide support from all stakeholders.”
The district will work with O'Shea Builders and Bowa Group to obtain independent project estimates.
Architecture firms Perkins and Will and IGW Architecture will help provide professional feedback on the committee's recommendations.
The school board has also voted to pursue contracts with options to purchase eight properties near Central High School over the next 18 months.
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