Prioritize. Stabilize. Optimize.Prioritize. Stabilize. Optimize.
Prioritize. Stabilize. Optimize.
Prioritize. Stabilize. Optimize.
Say it over and over again to ward off distractions.
This was our commitment to ourselves and our school community as we launched the school year at the All-Staff Convocation. Academics are our priority. Staying the course will stabilize us. Doing our best, with all that we have, will result in optimal performance.
So, let's not get distracted. Hang in there with us, Austin, on facility master planning.
We are asking the Austin community to join the effort to launch a new approach that distinguishes a facility planning framework - which are the overall components we use every year - from the Annual Facilities Recommendations (AFRs), which are the outcome of using the process and have specific implications for individual sites. The board meeting on Monday has been scheduled for many months so that I could present an administrative recommendation about facility planning; not to present the fully completed Annual Facilities Recommendations for 2012-2013 implementation. This will come in December. I know this is a new approach, and appreciate your patience as we establish a planning framework first for our facility work and then move to Annual Facilities Recommendations.
In light of what may be some confusing media coverage over this weekend about the FMP and upcoming board meeting, I wanted to clarify the agenda for Monday's board meeting so we don't get off track.
Monday is a continuation of the open discussions that began in November 2009 regarding the ongoing work for facility master planning.
We're on the home stretch to present the administrative recommendation that was part of the timeline approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2011.
Here’s what is going to happen on Monday.
I am presenting to the Board of Trustees the administrative recommendation regarding facility master planning.
Specifically, I will be recommending that the Board of Trustees discuss the following in preparation for action on the Facility Master Plan on November 21, 2011, regular board meeting and subsequent action at the December 12, 2011, regular board meeting:
- Adopt Facility Master Plan framework, which includes the following three-part process components: 1) a comprehensive, long-term FMP process; 2) annual updated information used to inform the FMP process; and 3) Annual Facilities Recommendations (AFRs), at the November 21st regular board meeting;
- Approve the school year 2011-2012 Annual Facilities Recommendations for school year 2012-2013 implementation at the December 12th regular board meeting (which will be presented in draft form at the September 26th regular board meeting); and
- Appoint a Citizens’ Bond Advisory Committee to prepare recommendations on a proposed scope of work for a future bond program no later than the December 12th regular board meeting.
I know today’s news article - and other potential opinion pieces - may confuse the public concerning specific agenda items for Monday’s meeting versus the scheduled board actions for November and December of this year. Just try to remember that any talk of Annual Facilities Recommendations are draft at best - giving us plenty of time to discuss and shape - and are also not the purpose of Monday's meeting. The Annual Facilities Recommendations have not been finalized and will get no board action until December.
At Monday’s meeting, I will share draft thinking about critical next steps and revisit previously discussed academic options (such as an all-boys school, in-district charters, two-way dual language, etc.) that would need to be considered for facility planning as the district prepares for November and December action. But, there is no “list of schools” to disclose; there are no specific school recommendations at this point in time.
I recognize community input is very important and this is why we intend to use the next three months to review and verify the data and vet the draft thinking on the Annual Facilities Recommendations.
At Monday’s meeting, I will share draft thinking about critical next steps and revisit previously discussed academic options (such as an all-boys school, in-district charters, two-way dual language, etc.) that would need to be considered for facility planning as the district prepares for November and December action. But, there is no “list of schools” to disclose; there are no specific school recommendations at this point in time.
I recognize community input is very important and this is why we intend to use the next three months to review and verify the data and vet the draft thinking on the Annual Facilities Recommendations.
As a commitment to an open, transparent process, we have launched a new website (www.austinisd.org/fmp) to provide the public with updates on the FMP process and notify families and stakeholders of important meeting dates.
While demanding, the legislative session couldn't distract us from our work and improved outcomes. So let's not get distracted now either. We have to do the right things for our kids and be planful in our facility use.
Prioritize. Stabilize. Optimize.
AISD is on a mission to improve the quality of education for kids and I am confident that - although not perfect - our Facility Master Plan, with your input, will be thoughtful, proactive, transparent and, most importantly, in the best interest of Austin’s children and taxpayers.
I hope this communication helps explain what will be covered and what will not be covered on Monday’s meeting and hopefully reduce unneeded anxiety around FMP.
Thank you for supporting Austin’s children.
