Community members are urged to attend an informational forum about District 41's Master Facility Planning Project, and to consider helping with this important work. By spring of 2009, District 41 will have created a Master Facility Plan (MFP) for consideration by the Board of Education. The plan will align with the district Vision, Mission and Long-Range Plan, will be created in partnership with stakeholders, and will consider immediate, short-term and long-term needs. The MFP will outline facility needs for the next 10-20 years (possibly longer), provide a practical framework and sound rationale for decision making, and enable the public to see facility needs in context.  

Preparation for the MFP project began last year with stormwater, safety and security, and space utilization studies, and the 10-year capital projects and age & obsolescence plan. The recent 2008 Vision Project has provided perspectives about the education the community wants for its students in the future. With this information as its foundation, the district is ready to convene stakeholder groups and create a plan for the Board of Education to consider.  

The Master Facility Plan process is not a referendum. A referendum is a request to the community to approve a specific plan to be implemented in the immediate future; the MFP process involves the community as a partner in planning for long-term facility needs.

The district is inviting parents, non-parents, businesspeople and any community member who is interested in the future of District 41 schools to attend this forum to learn more about the process. There will also be information about the volunteer roles--there is no obligation to get involved, but there is an invitation to do so. If you are interested in being involved in the MFP process but unable to attend the Sept. 24 meeting, please contact Communications Director Julie Worthen to let the district know of your interest.