The FAC consists of 25 participants selected to create a representative group that includes individuals from a range of backgrounds. The FAC is facilitated by Dr. Joe Schroeder, an independent, Wisconsin-based, educational consultant, who said of the process so far, “The committee members have been very deliberative in our meetings to date. I especially appreciate how they respect a variety of opinions throughout the process and keep the overall interests of district students at the center.”

The FAC has accomplished a number of significant tasks in the first four meetings: 

• Reviewed demographic data, enrollment projections, facilities assessments, best practices, and other factors that impact school district facilities.
• Evaluated community feedback from a community survey to integrate key input into decision parameters.
• Identified parameters for facilities evaluation from policies and the community survey.
• Refined the number of elementary school consolidation options.

The transparency of the process is facilitated by a website that includes: agendas, minutes, presentations, all supporting materials, FAQs, and video recordings of the meetings. The website can be visited at: https://www.lacrosseschools.org/facilities-advisory-committee/

Upcoming FAC meetings will be held at Hogan Administrative Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following dates: August 14, September 14, October 17, and November 2. FAC meetings are open to the public, allowing community members to listen to the committee’s dialog; however, participation in conversations is limited to FAC members. Non-committee members are able to provide written feedback. 

The FAC will submit a final report with recommendations to the administration and School Board by December. After the report is complete, there will be an opportunity for public comment while the administration and School Board determine the next steps in updating the long-range facility plan. 

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The FAC will consist of 25-30 participants selected to create a representative group that includes individuals from a range of backgrounds including parents, the business community, booster/athletics/arts groups, senior citizens, staff, realtors, the La Crosse Public Education Foundation, local government, and legislators. 

The tasks of the FAC are to: 

• Review demographic data, enrollment projections, facilities assessments, best practices, and other factors that impact school district facilities.
• Integrate community feedback from surveys and other means into evaluations and recommendations.
• Serve as factual key communicators to the La Crosse community.
• Explore, evaluate, and refine potential elementary school arrangement and facilities consolidation options.
• Explore, evaluate, and refine middle and high school facilities improvements that result in comparable opportunities for students.
• Prepare and present a final report summarizing findings and advisory recommendations to the administration and school board by December 2023.

The following parameters will be considered by the FAC in making recommendations:

• Facilities that establish and maintain a learning environment that is physically, socially, and emotionally safe, welcoming, inclusive, respectful, and conducive to effective learning.
• Facilities that support innovative and best practices for teaching and learning, meet diverse learning needs, promote collaborative alignment with community resources, and are financially prudent and sustainable.
• Guidance from School Board and administrative policies: School Board policy Operational Expectation 12 – Facilities, Administrative policy 9100 – Facilities Development, Administrative policy 9800 – Retirement of Facilities.

The School District of La Crosse will make the FAC process as transparent as possible. All meeting information and related materials will be placed on the website with video recordings of meetings made available. FAC meetings will be open to the public, allowing community members to listen to the committee’s dialog; however, participation in conversations will be limited to FAC members. Non-committee members will be able to provide written feedback. 

District administration will serve in an advisory capacity, responding to requests for information, and providing context, options, and analysis. The meetings will be facilitated by Dr. Joe Schroeder, an independent, Wisconsin-based, educational consultant. 

The monthly FAC meetings will begin this Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Hogan Administrative Center.

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