CRCSD is eager to deliver on its promise of Every Learner. Future Ready. It is evolving its teaching practices, workforce, and facilities to most effectively meet the needs of 21st century learners. CRCSD believes modern facilities are a key component to an enriching student experience and is planning for the future in a progressive, fiscally-responsible manner. The students deserve it!

Simply put, it’s time. Most CRCSD school buildings were built before the 1950s, and some are more than 100 years old.

Here’s just a sampling of things to consider:

  • Older compartmentalized designs don’t support modern, collaborative learning
  • ADA compliance is not being met in the current structures
  • An older building’s exterior is beautiful and holds many memories that everyone honors, but the interior mechanics and structures can be expensive and time consuming to repair and maintain
  • Extracurricular and activities spaces are not currently equivalent to the surrounding school districts and safety is a factor in some spaces
  • Teacher staffing shortages become even more difficult when they are asked to travel between multiple smaller buildings instead of one consolidated building

Facilities Master Plan Task Force is Hard at Work Making Decisions

CRCSD is so grateful to the Task Force, composed of community members, family members and staff, for all their dedication and hard work at many meetings that have been occurring throughout this school year. (For reference, you can view the Task Force presentations here.)

You may have read media headlines implying a potential $323 million GO Bond ask in March 2023, but please note this is premature as there is much more work to be done on deciding what phases of facilities work are best and what the initial dollar ask will be. All that work and final recommendation from the Facilities Master Plan Task Force is forthcoming. Per the May 9th Board presentation, a recommendation will be made in Fall 2022. When decisions are made later this year, the GO Bond ask and all supporting information will be thoroughly communicated to the public via a CRCSD press conference.

Recap of Recent Updates

Recommendation to the Board of Directors is approved on March 28, 2022:

1) Construct a new elementary school on the Arthur Annex for 500-600 students and seek an architectural RFP in the Spring of 2022 with the goal of opening in Fall of 2024

  • Plan for the combination of Arthur and Garfield attendance areas
  • Plan for the neighborhood needs and design with the neighborhood in mind
  • Plan for the repurposing of the current Arthur and Garfield buildings and collaborate with community and historical entities on the historical nature of the repurposing.

2) Prioritize Harrison and Madison combination project as a second project with the goal to seek an architectural RFP in the Fall of 2022 with the goal of opening in Fall of 2025:

  • Organize a subcommittee to consider renovation at Harrison, a new build at Harrison, OR a new build at Madison
  • Plan for the combination of Harrison and Madison attendance areas
  • Plan for the neighborhood needs and design with the neighborhood in mind
  • Plan for the repurposing of the buildings once the direction is chosen

Architectural Firm is approved by Board of Directors at May 9, 2022 meeting:

  • OPN Architects is approved for the new elementary school on Arthur Annex location.

Secondary Schools assessment and future planning presented at May 9, 2022 Board meeting:

  • OPN provided an overview of the secondary schools (six middle schools and four high schools) assessment. The Board approved last year for OPN to conduct a facilities need assessment.
  • It was announced that more time was needed for the Task Force to make a secondary schools recommendation, and noted that this would occur in Fall 2022.

Special Board Meeting is set for May 16, 2022:

  • A special board meeting has been set for May 16, 2022, to begin at 5:30 pm. at the Educational Leadership & Support Center located at 2500 Edgewood Rd. NW. “The board has set this time to allow for public comment regarding the Question of the Closure of Garfield Elementary School,” said David Tominsky, board president.

Summary Statement

“With our continued focus on equity and access, we want to provide the best education to all students,” said Noreen Bush. “And that includes resourceful, ADA-compliant facilities as an important component. Additionally, our goal is to be mindful of our fiscal responsibility and how best to create learning environments that are strategically created based on enrollment data, with infrastructure efficiencies and sustainability built in.”

For more information and reference materials, please visit the Future Ready Facilities webpage. You will find recent overall updates, Facilities Master Plan Task Force updates, recap of input sessions and board presentations, and background on funding.