SPS details 12-year, $370M master plan

After soliciting input through 10 public meetings and an online survey, Springfield Public Schools’ hired consultant has rolled out a nearly $370 million recommendation for the district’s 12-year master plan.

Tallahassee, Florida-based MGT of America Inc. yesterday presented a plan to maintain small schools in the district and create new combined elementary and middle schools, according to a news release.

In two phases over 12 years, the recommended plan includes:
    •    construction of four combined elementary and middle school campuses;
    •    upgrades at three high schools and one middle school;
    •    renovations at seven elementary schools;
    •    renovations and an addition at one elementary school;
    •    early childhood classroom expansion;
    •    construction of three replacement elementary schools; and
    •    the repurposing of Campbell, Delaware, York and Bowerman elementary schools, which would close them and require reassignment of children to other locations.

The $367.6 million budget for the two-phase project includes $30 million for projected inflation adjustments during the buildout. Phase I comprises $197 million in construction and improvements, with Phase II coming in at $170.6 million.

All told, the master plan would move 22 district schools currently rated as unsatisfactory or poor into the excellent or new categories, as well as several listed as fair or good moving to excellent condition, according to the release.

“The recommendations both align to and deliver the priorities identified by stakeholders,” SPS officials wrote in the release.

The SPS Board of Education is expected to approve MGT of America’s recommendation on Dec. 13, according to the SPS release. After that, a bond proposal would be placed on the April ballot for taxpayer consideration for Phase I, which would take six years to complete. Phase II would require voter-approved bonds as well. Funding the plan also requires voter approval to increase the district’s debt-service levy, according to the release.