In an effort to continue building resident engagement in finding a sustainable solution to address the district’s numerous facility needs, the Belleville School Board will outline a plan for engaging the community in a process to evaluate the district’s facility needs. The plan will be a continuation of work conducted earlier through a comprehensive facility study.

Over the past year, the board convened a facility study group of Belleville residents who considered various facility issues in school buildings. The district will seek a high level of community involvement in the next stage as residents review the district’s needs, consider possible solutions and contribute their thoughts and feedback.

To assist the district, the board has decided to move forward with Phase II of the Educational and Facilities Need Process by entering into competitive contract negotiations with the architect firm Bray Architects and construction firm of Findorf Construction to provide cost information for possible solutions.

“We have a number of facility issues that will require our attention in the near future,” said Angie Edge, school board president. “However, none of these issues is an emergency, and we have plenty of time to conduct a thorough, community-based process that focuses on transparency and the engagement of the entire district community. We are at the very beginning of what will be a comprehensive process.”

In addition to providing transparency and creating opportunities for community members to guide this important process, the board is committed to balancing the needs of current and future students with its responsibility to taxpayers.

“In the coming weeks, the school board will outline a plan for engaging community members on the district’s facility needs, as well as the process that may be used to find a solution if community members deem one to be appropriate,” said Edge. “It is important at this early stage to note that no decisions have been made as to whether to proceed in addressing any of our facility needs.”