CONTACTS:
Steve Sherrell, Director of Facilities Improvement Projects
Phone: 503-534-2426
E-Mail: sherrels@loswego.k12.or.us
Nancy Duin, Communications Coordinator
Phone: 503-534-2312
E-Mail: duinn@loswego.k12.or.us
BACKGROUND:
In November 2000, Lake Oswego School District voters approved an $85 million bond measure dedicated to improving facilities at all district schools. The most significant projects will involve the district’s high schools: rebuilding Lake Oswego High School, and significantly renovating Lakeridge High School.
In the exciting aftermath of the bond measure’s passage, the district initiated a lengthy public process designed to provide opportunities for community involvement in the design of facilities projects.
DESIGN SYMPOSIUMS:
To kick off the process, two-day design symposiums were held for each high school. Sixty community members gathered for each event, representing students, staff, parents, city government, and community leaders. Participants were selected by the school board through an application process.
The symposiums included sessions on the district’s mission and values, high school educational considerations, the history and traditions of the respective high schools, and site constraints for each school. Following these sessions, four teams of participants, working with architects and facilitated by school board members, developed a conceptual design for their high school.
The four resulting concepts for each high school were published on the district web site, and the community was invited to provide feedback. The Lake Oswego School Board, after considering comments, approved a basic design concept for each high school.
DACs and PACs: With concepts for the major projects in place, a process for more detailed design work was put in place.
Design Advisory Committees were established for each high school. Appointed by the school board, 17 members were selected from participants in the design symposiums. The committees met regularly over the past year, and working with the architects, developed plans for interior space, exterior design and materials, and interior design and materials. Throughout this process, regular updates were provided to the school board, which gave direction back to the DACs. Minutes from each DAC meeting as well as evolving designs were posted on the website for patron and staff review.
Project Advisory Committees were established for elementary and middle school projects. These groups, comprised of staff, parents, and school neighbors, also met regularly with architects and principals to develop designs for the smaller projects at these schools.
A community forum was convened by the school board to hear feedback on proposed designs for all projects. The process culminated with school board approval of project plans.
CITY/SCHOOL DISTRICT
JOINT LIBRARY: During the campaign for the facilities bond measure, one idea that came forth was the possibility of having a shared use library at Lake Oswego High School. A Joint Use Library Task Force, consisting of representatives from both the City of Lake Oswego and LOSD, and including librarians, patrons, and students, was convened to study the feasibility of this concept and make a recommendation to the Lake Oswego School Board and Lake Oswego City Council.
CONTINUING PROCESS
AND COMMUNICATION: Construction will get underway at both high schools this summer, and the need for timely communication of logistical issues will be met with frequent website updates, as well as setting up list serve subscriptions for each school. A “Construction Update” logo and newsletter have already become familiar to the community.
The Lake Oswego School Board has a strong commitment to community involvement, and will continue to look to staff, students, and parents for input throughout the construction process.
Take a closer look at some of the tools and processes the district and board used:
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