Developers of a facilities master plan for the Douglas County School District are hoping people turn out for "the unveiling" of their preliminary plan 5 p.m. Tuesday at Carson Valley Middle School.
"We'll lay out the work we've been doing for the last eight months, and what has led us to develop the 10-year master plan," said Edward Humble, senior partner of MGT of America, which was hired last summer to develop the plan. "This is what we see as the most efficient way to invest the dollars of the people of Douglas County in improvements. We're looking at all options, such as the recommendation of ninth-grade reconfiguration, and improvements in terms of the condition of facilities and the capacity of facilities. Some are overcrowded and we have to deal with that."
Humble said the plan will contain a timeline for projects dependent on available revenue.
"It will show how to get the best bang for your buck when tax dollars are available," he said.
District Chief Financial Officer Holly Luna said the district has $30-40 million in bond funding that must be used in the best and most efficient manner possible.
She said the master plan will be a "road map" of priorities, phasing and funding. It will contain recommendations based on MGT's research, though the school board may decide to accept or deny any recommendation.
Luna said she couldn't comment on specific recommendations until Tuesday's meeting, but said no one should be shocked to learn that the district is considering moving ninth-graders back to the high school.
"It's no surprise that data-driven outcomes show ninth-graders should be included in the high school curriculum," she said.
She said the preliminary plan will be posted on the district's Web site at http://dcsd.k12.nv.us.
A follow-up town hall meeting on the master plan is scheduled for 5 p.m. Feb. 25 at Carson Valley Middle School.
"The intent of the town hall is for the public to have reviewed the document and provide any feedback," Luna said.
