Birchwood Elementary Educational Specifications/Design Advisory Ad Hoc Committee

Purpose(s):

• Review and possibly update the elementary level educational specificatons created by the Bellingham School District in August 2006. These specifications are used to describe the district’s elementary school program; and
• Following the completion of the elementary educational specifications,  review and provide feedback on schematic and design development drawings for the Birchwood Elementary project.

Basis for Establishment:

• Prior to designing a school, a complete and accurate description of the desired educational program, instructional activities, as well as the functional, spatial and environmental needs related to school must be established. This detailed description is referred to as Educational Specifications. Educational Specifications help clarify and direct the scope of work and design requirements for the architects, engineers, and other professionals working on the building design and site plan.

Decision-Making Process:

• Final decisions about the educational specifications, as well as the school design and site plan, will be made by the Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Superintendent.

Plan of Work:

• The Committee will work with the architects on the Educational Specifications and design elements related to the school.
• Work on the Educational Specifications will begin in March 2012 and be completed by June 30, 2012. 4-6 meetings (half or full day) are anticipated for this phase of committee work.

Summary of work to date includes:

• Six committee meetings have been completed to draft educational specifications for Birchwood. The goal is to finalize these specifications with the committee before the end of this school year.

Responsibilities of Committee Members:

• Regular meeting attendance
• Respectful and collaborative interactions with committee members

Budget Implications:

• Provide substitutes for staff as applicable.