Facing up to these conditions, in the FY 1999 budget, the District approved for the first time in a generation capital projects that would modernize or replace school buildings.  Over the course of the next two years DCPS developed a Facility Master Plan (“Master Plan”), which was approved by the Board of Education in early 2001.  The Master Plan endeavors to modernize, not just renovate, the District’s public schools.  Renovations would merely bring the schools to their original state when new, which for DCPS buildings means 1890, 1920 or 1960.  Schools built during these earlier eras did not provide access for children with disabilities, space for community meetings or activities, and many lacked libraries, cafeterias and space for physical education, art and music.  None of the schools constructed in these earlier times was built to use the technology of the late 20^th century, much less the 21^st century.  In order to develop the Master Plan, DCPS, with the professional support of a nationally recognized designer of schools, developed new standards for state-of-the-art schools for the District based on current educational practice, research and technology.  DCPS has also engaged well-known national and local architects to design individual schools.

Under the Master Plan, modernization of the District’s school buildings is to take place in successive groups or tiers of 10 schools over a 10- to 15-year period.  One elementary school from each ward was selected for modernization in the first group.  Criteria for selection in the first group included size, condition, crowding, age, and geographical balance.  The initial group of elementary schools selected for modernization included Barnard, Cleveland, Key, Miner, Noyes, Oyster, [6] Patterson, Randle Highlands and Thomson.  In addition, Kelly Miller Middle School is also in the initial modernization group  The second group of ten schools scheduled for modernization is currently in the “design phase” or “ “bidding phase.” [7]   In the design phase, the entire school site is redesigned to meet current educational program requirements.  All ten schools in this phase are slated to be in construction over the next twelve months.  The third group of ten schools scheduled for modernization is currently in the “feasibility study phase.” [8]   During the feasibility study phase, a detailed analysis of each site is developed, including the creation of options for resolving the challenges within constraints of budget, historic preservation, and other factors.  Budgets are developed using a uniform budgeting formula.

While the modernization program outlined above serves as the cornerstone of the Master Plan, because not all schools can be modernized simultaneously, capital improvements must move forward on three other tracks as well:

The Component Replacement Program. The component replacement program will replace failed building systems, including roofs, boilers, windows, and other discrete building systems or components. As new buildings are built and schools are modernized, this program will be replaced by a Lifecycle Replacement Program.

The Small Capital Project Program. This “small cap” program will make necessary health, safety, and quality of life improvements to schools waiting their turn for modernization.

Mandates.  Mandates are projects required for compliance with federal legislation.  These include the asbestos program, ADA accessibility improvements, and the removal of underground storage tanks.

One of the root causes for the deplorable state of the DCPS building inventory is a chronic underfunding of maintenance and operations.  In response, the DCPS is developing a comprehensive maintenance plan to enable accurate budgeting for future fiscal years and to shift from an emergency mode of operations into predictive and preventative maintenance.  While the small cap program will continue to be funded in the capital budget request, a substantial share of deferred work is not capital-eligible and will need to be funded from the maintenance portion of DCPS’s annual operating budget.

Appendix I to this Report shows on a school-by-school basis the status of facility improvements in DC Public Schools as of 2003.  Modernization of Key, Miner, Oyster and Randle Highlands has now been completed, and modernization of the other six schools in this first group is on schedule for completion by 2004.  The results of DCPS’ initial modernization efforts are impressive: schools that are safe, sound, educationally appropriate, architecturally inspiring and efficient to operate.  For example, the photographs on the following pages show the results of modernization at Miner Elementary School.  The photographs show a state-of-the-art school facility of which any public school system could be proud.  The results of completed modernization efforts at other District schools are similarly impressive.  Schools that have been rebuilt have seen an influx of students.  Within months of reopening all are at full capacity.  Waiting lists are an emerging trend.

Miner Elementary School

 

Miner Elementary School