Future of Fayetteville High School Select Committee-IIRecommendation

April 24, 2008

Our Charge

The primary charge of the Future of Fayetteville High School Select II Committee is to make a recommendation to the Fayetteville Board of Education regarding the future location of Fayetteville High School.

Discussion points

Work of the committeePotential site optionsSite selection criteriaRecommendation

The Work of the FHS-II Committee

14 total meetings (the first one on January 22, 2008, the last one on April 23 -yesterday) 2 public input sessions (230+ in attendance; 90+ addressed the committee)Countless email, phone calls, personal contacts, etc. 545 hours combined (does not include individual time reviewing data, responding to patron inquiries, emails, etc.)

The Work of the FHS-II Committee

2 meetings w/ City of Fayetteville staff re: traffic/road improvement projects, trail plans Link: Northwest Arkansas Growth

Lisa Morstad, CFO, re: school finance, comparison of options (2 meetings) Links: Financial Overview , Updated Financial Analysis

The Work of the FHS-II Committee

Wes Burgess and David Swearingen, Crafton Tull Sparks, re: site feasibility, construction and renovation options (3 meetings) Link: Renovating Fayetteville High School

Enrollment projections; maps of student distribution Links: Demographic and Boundary Centers , Enrollment Growth , Capacity Projections

The Work of the FHS-II Committee

State standards and guidelines for facilitiesStudent enrollment growth rate14 potential sites considered/reviewed; 8 sites toured. Tours of FHS, Rogers Heritage High site (currently under renovation) Approximately 25 pizzas consumed; significant caffeine intake

Potential site options

Current FHS campus (committee tour)With assistance from architects, contractors and City of Fayetteville staff, we searched Fayetteville city limits for undeveloped properties of 50 acres+Identified 14 potential sites, regardless of availability, price, etc.Researched ownership, availability, price, suitability for construction, floodplain issues, etc.Toured 8 sites (Saturday bus ride)

Site Options (Potential High School sites in green)

Potential site options

Yes, we looked at the UofA System agri farm property and met with the Division of Agriculture VP, Dr. Milo Shult. The property is not available for sale, trade, etc.Received Marinoni proposal – 70 acres at Wedington and I-540Narrowed the list to 4 potential sites; primarily based on availability and suitability for construction

Current FHS Site

Deane Solomon Site

Morningside Drive Site

Marinoni Site

Criteria Selection

Started with 83 suggested criteria to use in evaluating potential locations, including input from the committee members and suggestions gathered during the public input meetings.Grouped those into 4 broad categories– Ideal learning environment for students– Proximity– Safety and transportation– Durability and cost

Criteria Selection

Small groups worked to combine, eliminate, re-word/revise; narrowed down to 16 criteriaPresented criteria to the full committee; more discussion, revision, elimination; narrowed the list to 10 final criteriaEach committee member then voted on top 5Criteria weighted by importance (1-10)

Criteria Selection

Important note: criteria were developed, finalized and weighted independent of site considerationsAt this point, the 4 sites under consideration were evaluated via the established criteria.

Criteria (Top Rated)

1. Lowest cost to taxpayers (successful millage campaign is imperative) Link: FHS Cost Comparisons

2. Space sufficient for all programs (expanded educational opportunities)

3. Proximity to student demographic center (near Old Wire Rd. and Mission Blvd.) Link: Demographic Centers

Criteria (Important)

4. Aesthetics (beauty and functionality)5. 2025 Plan alignment6. Parking and traffic manageable (due to

increased traffic volume w/ 9th grade)7. Impact of construction on students

Criteria (Lesser Importance)

8. Emergency services response time/access9. Access to University of Arkansas10. Road access/infrastructure costs

Criteria (weighted highest to lowest 1-10) Current Morningside Deane Solomon Marinoni 1. Least cost to taxpayers - + + ? 2. Space for all programs - + + - 3. Proximity to student demographic

center + + - +

4. Aesthetics (beauty & functionality) ? ? ? ? 5. 2025 Plan Alignment + + ? + 6. Parking/Access (additional traffic

w/addition of 9th grade) - + - -

7. Construction impact (staging area, loss of parking, staging area, noise, disruption, etc.

- + + +

8. Emergency services (goal: 4 minutes response time)

+ + - +

9. Access to U of A + + - + 10. Road access/infrastructure costs + + - +

Potential sites measured via criteria

Potential sites measured via criteria

Criteria (weighted highest to lowest 1-10) Current Morningside 1. Least cost to taxpayers - ($94M; 6-8 mills) + ($52M; 3-5 mils) 2. Space for all programs - (40 acres; 650,000 s.f.) + (88 acres; 471,000 s.f.) 3. Proximity to student demographic center

+ +

4. Aesthetics (beauty & functionality) ? ? 5. 2025 Plan alignment + + 6. Parking/Access (additional traffic w/ addition of 9th grade)

- (700-1000 pkg. spaces w/possible variance)

+ (1200+ pkg. spaces)

7. Construction impact (staging area, loss of parking, staging area, noise, disruption, etc.)

- (4 yrs.+; ) + (none)

8 Emergency services (goal: 4 minutes response time)

+ (appropriate response time) + (appropriate response time)

9. Access to U of A + (3 blocks, walking distance) + (1.7 miles, biking/driving) 10. Road access/infrastructure costs + (not conclusive; possibly no

cost) + ($2.5M in likely

improvements)

The Committee’s Recommendation

Based on criteria developed and weighted, data researched and examined, questions asked and answered, the FHSSC2 makes

the following recommendation:The new Fayetteville High School should be

built on the property referred to as “Morningside” (701 E. Huntsville Rd.).

Rationale for Recommendation

The Morningside Site best matched our selection criteria.

Appendices

Appendix A – FHS Board Action TimelineAppendix B – Future of FHS FAQ