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Kate, Grade Unknown

Valmonte-Sunrise Early Learning Academy

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Master Planning Process

Research & Discovery

This phase includes extensive research of District archives and records to gather background information to assist in overall knowledge of the District and schools, including demographics, site and building plans, and recent projects. This research provides the foundation to develop the assessment process, as well as the overall organization of the process tasks and schedule. Of particular importance in this initial phase is the selection and establishment of the District’s Facilities Planning Group and review of ____—which became the foundation and Guiding Principles for the development of this master plan.

Phase 1:
Research & Discovery

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Community Outreach

Through a series of four Community and Parent Input Sessions, valuable information is gathered from parents, teachers, staff, and students from every school in the District. These sessions include a presentation on 21st Century educational design images and a video of the success that project-based learning has on students. A digital Facilities Questionnaire is also featured on the District’s website to keep an open dialogue with the community. The culmination of this process leads the District and the DLR Group design team to better understand the community’s desires and expectations.

Phase 3:
Community Outreach

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Facilities Assessment

A team of trained field assessors visits every site within the District to review, photograph, and note physical condition deficiencies related to pre-determined major review categories. A “Report Card” outlining the grades for each category of the assessment is prepared resulting in an overall grade for each campus.

The assessments are categorized in terms of immediate, short-term, mid-term, and long-term needs. These repair items help to establish timelines for projects while project costs are developed. The sums of the expected costs are then weighed against the replacement value of each school to determine the Replacement Cost Index (RCI). This value is important when considering whether or not a facility should be improved or replaced.

Phase 2:
Facilities Assessment

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Educational Specifications

This step provides more specific and detailed information about the components within the identified projects by defining the type and size of various spaces required to complement the educational delivery and to provide consistency among similar project types. The Educational Specifications are designed with the maximum amount of flexibility to assist each school with implementing the District’s instructional goals as projects are identified and move forward. Educational Specifications are developed through a series of meetings with various District staff, including curriculum, facilities, and site administrators.

Phase 4:
Educational Specifications

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Master Planning

Drawing upon the Community and Parent Input Sessions, digital questionnaires, physical assessments and educational adequacy site walks, a comprehensive master plan document is produced for each school site. Each master plan identifies the comprehensive repair and renovation projects, as well as new building and site enhancement projects. An estimate of the probable costs associated with each campus master plan projects is established to assist with the implementation and prioritization plans.

Phase 5:
Master Planning

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Finalization & Implementation

The final step involves listing and cost estimating of all physical assessment repair “needs” and educational adequacy “wants” for all school sites to illustrate and compare the magnitude of the projects. Charts are produced which graphically show the master plan costs for each campus against the total sum of costs. Considerations of all potential funding sources are also explored. Once this information is complete, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District establishes the priorities for each campus and matches them to the potential funding sources to be pursued.

Phase 6:
Finalization & Implementation