Good morning,

Happy Halloween! This is a favorite time of year in our household. The kids are excited for Trick-or-Treat, fall decorations are up, and anticipation begins to build toward the holiday season. As a school district, we have been working on master facility planning for almost twelve months and the anticipation is building toward the next step. However, we need your help in taking it! 

Below is quite a bit of information. Please save this message for your reference. It will also be posted on our web page. 

Summary

Since December of 2021, our school district has hosted 6 Facility Task Force meetings. The task force includes 54 community members including board members, school staff, parents, district residents, and community partners who have been engaged in the planning process. In addition, the district has hosted 5 community meetings and a survey to gain feedback, input, and refine planning ideas. 

Five conceptual options have been narrowed down. The Fairbanks Master Facility Plan is attempting to address needs and solve problems around the 3C’s of Facilities: Capacity, Curriculum, and Capital Improvements. The presentations below show how each option addresses these needs. 

September Community Presentation

October Community Presentation

Next Steps

In November, there will be a Task Force and Community Meeting. The goal is that one of the master plans will be approved at the regular Board of Education meeting in December. 

The November Community meeting will put these options side by side for the community to evaluate. Each plan solves issues with facilities differently. Additionally, we will review the financial side of these options. We hope that you will join us to help refine these plans. The community meeting will be on December 1 at 7:00 pm. Tentatively, we will meet in the High School/Middle School Media Center. We will send an RSVP two weeks prior to determine if a larger space will be needed. Thank you for being a part of this step in the process. 

Timeline

  • November 8 - Substitute Levy Renewal: This secures operating funds for the school district. Here is a link to the mailer sent earlier this month - Substitute Levy Mailer 

  • November 15 - Facilities Task Force Meeting

  • December 1- Facilities Community Meeting: The community meeting will be on December 1 at 7:00 pm. Tentatively, we will meet in the High School/Middle School Media Center.

  • December 19 - Regular Board of Education Meeting

  • January 2023 - Next steps in planning detailed for the community

  • May 2023/November 2023 - Potential Facility Ballot Issue

If you have any questions, please contact me at adhamschirg@fairbankspanthers.org or (937) 349-9000 ext. 1202. Please share this message across your personal networks. 

Together, we are going to build a shared future for Fairbanks. This future will highlight our Pride, Passion, and Preparation for tomorrow. Fall is full of anticipation and excitement. We cannot wait to take the next step in the planning process with you. 

For Fairbanks,

Adham Schirg

Fairbanks Local School District