Power Point from 2nd Community Summit

Click here to view Power Point presented at 2nd Community Summit

2nd Community Meeting Scheduled

The second community meeting  addressing the replacement or repair of Midland Elementary has been scheduled for January 6, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.  The meeting will take place at the Midland Elementary Gymnasium.  Please make every effort to attend this important meeting. For further information please visit us on Facebook or call 309-469-2061.

Community Summit Scheduled

MIDLAND C.U.S.D. #7

Varna, IL.

COMMUNITY SUMMIT

The Midland School District is holding a District-wide Community Summit on the morning of Saturday, December 6^th, 2014, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

The Summit location is:

Midland Elementary School 206 N. High Street Lacon, IL 61540.

The Midland School District is undertaking a planning process to determine the future direction of school facilities that includes addressing potential options for 2015 and beyond. This community summit will provide valuable information to address strategic questions having an impact on future school size, grade configurations, programs, facilities, and other planning possibilities. This community summit is part of a larger planning process that includes information about student and community demographics, operating and capital costs, code issues, existing building conditions and future needs.

Questions

The following is a list of questions designed to elicit a wide variety of responses and perceptions about the Midland School District. The answers to these questions will be used to inform the planning process.

1.        What is your school and/or school district known for today?

2.        What should your school and/or school district be known for in the future?

3.        What programs, facilities, or processes need improvement; should be eliminated or new added?

4.        What obstacles stand in the way of making necessary program / facility / process improvements?

5.        If you could wave a magic wand, what is the number one change or improvement you would make regarding the Midland School District facilities or programs?

The summit is an opportunity for the community to share their ideas on many issues including:

·         Technology and the impact on teaching and learning

·         21^st Century Learning and Schools for the Future

·         Existing Building Conditions and Concerns

·         Remodeled or New Building Design Ideas

·         Environmental / Sustainable Design ideas

·         District demographics and operations

Please plan to join us!

Chuck Bennett Jr., AIA and Thomas Cox, AIA, will be responsible for the overall facilitation of the summit. 

Contracts For Land Purchase and Architectural Services

Last night the Midland Board of Education approved a Land Purchase Contract and a Contract for Architectural Services.  Both Contracts may be found here:

Land Purchase

Architectural Services 

Press Release

DATE: October 30, 2014

RELEASE TIME:  IMMEDIATE

CONTACT SPOKESPERSON:  JENELLE COLVIN/BOARD PRESIDENT jcolvin@midland-7.org

The Midland Board of Education has voted to enter into a contingent contract to purchase approximately 35.97 acres of real estate at a cost of $12,500 per acre.  The property is located on the northern edge of the City of Lacon and would be utilized as a potential site for a new school construction project. The contract is contingent upon a majority of the district’s registered voters approving the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying costs to construct a new school. This contingency ensures that the taxpayers of the district will not be required to purchase the land until approved by referendum. The earliest date to seek voter approval will be in the Consolidated Election held in April 2015. 

The selection of this property as a potential site of new construction stems from a Life Safety Survey mandated by the Illinois State Board of Education. The survey revealed several million dollars worth of repairs that would be required to continue the safe and compliant operations of the Midland Elementary Building. Entering into this contingent contract will allow the option to meet the district’s long term facility needs on a new green space. Several important considerations went into the selection of this site, including: the close proximity to city utilities, the ability to access city streets, and adequate space to ensure sufficient parking and safe traffic flows.  Use of such acreage was also considered for future expansions, potential rental income, and school programs utilizing farm land.

The Midland School District will host a series of community engagement events in the coming months. The goal of these engagements will be to seek input from district residents and stakeholders on the construction of a new school building on this property. These events will allow all interested parties to openly exchange information and share their ideas or concerns.

It is the intent of the Midland School Board to offer the most viable option to the Midland School District that will meet the educational goal of the district and maintain some local control.         

Architect Evaluates Lacon Facility

Dear Friends and Stakeholders:

Recently the Midland Board of Education contracted with a third party architect to conduct an evaluation of the Lacon Facility to ascertain if the building had deteriorated.  The Architectural firm (Craig Wright and Associates) the district contracted with is not on the short list that the district is obligated to negotiate with.  You can find the report the report here.

In addition, the firm also issued a report identifying the basic minimal repairs that should be completed to ensure that the building is safe for students. You may find the red line report here. The minimal repairs, as recommended by the architect, amount to over $800,000 dollars in repairs.

Industrial Park Site

The Lacon City Council voted to restrict the use of property in the industrial park for industrial purposes only.  Business owners  within the Industrial Park expressed apprehension about locating a school in that area due to safety concerns to children.  Their concerns were valid.  I also informed the city council and business members in attendance that the district is not interested in locating in an area that we are not welcome.  This narrows are options considerably.  We now have the following options:

1.       Build a school across the street from the current location.

2.       Launch a site acquisition project.

3.       Repair the current building.

4.       Construct an addition to an existing facility.

5.       Do nothing.

The board will probably discuss this on the 15^th and determine what scope of services they would like Farnsworth to complete.  I would encourage all to attend the meeting on the 15^th . 

Pre Referendum Services

The Midland School Board conducted a special meeting last night to discuss pre-referendum costs with Farnsworth Group.  Farnsworth distributed a services list with projected costs.  You may find the document HERE.

Farnsworth Link

This is a link to the Statement of Qualifications that Farnsworth submitted. It discussed exactly what their engagement process will look like.  http://www.midland-7.org/website_district/page28.html

Previous links to Life Safety Documents

This is a link to the life safety documents that were generated during the facility committee.  Links to Life Safety Documents

Midland Completes Final Ranking of Architects

On August 22, 2012 Midland completed the final ranking of Architects.  The final rank is as follows:

1. Farnsworth
2. CBJ
3. Larson & Darby

Short List Statement of Qualifications

The following link will provide the community with copies of the Statement of Qualifications of Short List firms.
http://www.midland-7.org/website_district/page28.html

Short List Selection

The following firms have been selected for further interviews and short listed:
1. Dewberry
2. Farnsworth
3. Wold
4. PCM
5. CBJ
6. Larson & Darby

The selected firms will recieve letters in the next few days informing them of the time and place for their presentations. 

The presentations/interviews will take place over 3 days - two firms per night.  Each firm will have 45 minutes for their presentation.  After the presentation the board will discuss the presentation in an open board meeting.  Each firm will be rated as stipulated in the Professional Services Selection Act. The highest rated firm will then enter negotiations with the Districts Attorney.  If a satisfactory agreement is reached the district will enter into an agreement.  If not the district will go to the second highest rated firm etc.    

Applying Firms

The following firms have submitted qualifications:

Basalay, Cary  & Alstadt
Richard L. Johnson & Assoc.
Craig Wright & Assoc.
Wold Arch & Eng.
Larson & Darby Group
FGM Arch.
Bailey Edward
TRI
Wight
PCM
Healy & Bender
Green Assoc.
Cordogan, Clark & Assoc.
Dewberry
Farnsworth Group
CBJ Arch.
SPM Arch.

The following questions were submitted by Stephan Nelson from Studio GC.

1.      Will this be a referendum based project?

Yes

2.      Does the District have a project site in mind?...If so can you share that information and is a site survey available?

Yes on both questions

3.      Does the District own the green park space to the North of the Elementary Building or does the town or park district own it?

 The district owns the green property north of the elementary building

4.      Is the District interested in trying to build the potentrial New Elementary School on the existing school site?

No.

5.      Are copies of the plan of the existig building and site available for distribution?

No.  they are available, but not for distribution at this time.

6.      Is the District in favor or opposed to multi-story buildings?

The district is open to any design as long as the design if fiscally conservative and meets all the needs of the community.

7.      Is the district considering any grade level adjustments or realignments in conjunction with this potential project?

This is open to grade level adjustments to complete the project.

8.      Are there any specific portions of the existing facility that the District or Community wishes to save or salvage?

No

More Questions

From Clifford A. Bender of  Healy, Bender & Associates

Section 6.3 is Relevant K-8 experience.  I understand the RFP is for remodeling/replacement of your existing PK-4 elementary school.  With the 30 page limitation (also criteria), should our response to Section 6.3 include only PK-4 facilities, or is the existing grades 5-8 Midland Middle School affected by this project? If so, is that the reason for the request for K-8 education projects?

The response should be for PK-4 facilities.  The Midland Middle School is not affected by this project. 

Questions from Responding Firms

The following questions have been submitted so far:

1.       Is there funding in place for the project or will it require a referendum?

This project will require a referendum

2.       Is there a budget for the project?

We are hoping the selected firm will consult with us to develop a budget

3.       Will the school be designed as a 3 Classroom/grade level facility?

I am not sure what you are referring to.

4.       Is there a new site or will it be part of the existing elementary school site?

The district will be negotiating with the City of Lacon for a transfer of property for a new site.

5.       Will the project be a replacement school or additions/remodeling to the present elementary school?

At this point it will be a replacement.

6. Is the CDB Form 255 subject to the limit of 30 pages for the proposal or may it be submitted as an addendum?

The CDB 255 Form is exempt from the 30 page restriction.  It may be submitted as an addendum.

7. May questions be submitted via email?

No. All questions must be submitted in writing and mailed to the district office.

8. What do you consider local?

Within the State of Illinois.  During a construction project meetings will be necessary between contractors, managers, and architects.  It is our expectation that the selected architect will be physically available for any necessary meetings.  We are expecting the selected firm to form a meaningful partnership with our district and community for the benefit of our taxpayers and children.   

9. May a pre qualification letter from the CDB be submitted in place of the Form 255?

No.

10. Are you accepting visits from responding firms to tour the building of visit the district?

No.  Not at this time.  Responding firms may not meet with any district officials or employees nor tour any facilities.  It is important to remember there is a lobbying restriction in place. 

     
11. Is this request for qualifications open to all firms who meet the requirements described therein, or is it limited to thos firms shown on the Architect's List that has been posted to the District's blog for this RFQ?
All firms are welcome to apply

12. Page 2 of the RFQ mentions a student capacity for the new school, but there is a blank where that number would be located.  What will be the student capacity for the new school?
We are hoping the selected firm will help us ascertain what the capacity should be. 
13. Will there be a pre-proposal walk-thru ?
No. This is simply a request for an RFQ. 
14. Does the District currently have any consultants on-board, with which the selected firm will consult with.
No
15. Are there multiple potential sites for the new elementary school?
No
16. The response to the District's RF can be no longer than 30 pages.  Can that be 30 sheets of paper or does it need to not exceed 30 faces (15 sheets).
30 Faces.  The CDB 255 Form is exempt from the 30 Faces.
17. Under the 6.4.3, are we to submit Client references who can speak to the experiences with teh specific fourn Architect/Engineer individual team members listed; or Client references who can speak to their experiences with the ARchitect/Engineer firm?
The Firm

RFQ for Architectural Services

The Midland Board of Education has issued an RFQ for Architectural Services relating to the replacement of its Lacon facility.  The RFQ and a list of solicited firms are linked to this blog below.  All responding firms are informed that restrictions to lobbying apply.  Any questions should be submitted in writing to:

Midland Schools
ATTN: Rolf Sivertsen, Superintendent
1830 St. Rt. 17
Varna, IL 61375

Responses will be posted on this blog after review.

Link to Solicited Architects
http://www.midland-7.org/rfq/architect%20list.pdf
Link to RFQ
http://www.midland-7.org/rfq/RFQ%20-%20Elementary.pdf