Facilities Planning For Future Success

A committee named the Facility Planning Advisory Group was formed in November 2024 consisting of community members, staff members, business partners, and students. An invitation was sent to 86 people who were nominated by each campus, with 64 people attending the first meeting.

The purpose of the committee was to define the criteria for CFB to make decisions and recommendations to the board with the goal of positioning CFB among the most competitive districts via efficient use of District funds and facilities. Three meetings were held and the committee reached a consensus on the criteria on Dec. 4, 2024.  

As you may know, many school districts across the state and nation are facing financial constraints, aging infrastructure and declining enrollment. Learn more by watching this video.

1. FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS

• Funding challenges: Schools rely heavily on local property taxes and state funding. When enrollment drops, funding decreases, making it harder to maintain operational costs for multiple campuses.
• Inflation and budget cuts: Rising costs for salaries, utilities, and materials, combined with reduced state or federal funding, strain district budgets.

2. AGING INFRASTRUCTURE

• Maintenance costs: Older campuses often require expensive repairs and upgrades to meet modern safety and technology standards.
• Efficiency needs: Consolidating into fewer, more efficient facilities can reduce overhead and better allocate resources to improve educational quality.

3. DECLINING ENROLLMENT

• Population shifts: Families moving to urban areas, suburban sprawl, or cities with lower living costs can lead to declining enrollment.
• Decreased birth rates: Lower birth rates result in fewer children entering schools, impacting long-term enrollment numbers.

Some primary factors behind school consolidation include:

• Cutting costs: Streamlining operations and leveraging economies of scale can help districts save money.
   
• Optimizing resources: Districts can utilize resources more effectively by getting the most out of their facilities and staff while improving student and family experiences.
   
• Enhancing educational outcomes: Boosting the learning experience by improving facilities and sharing resources is another consolidation focus.
   
• Upgrading Infrastructure: Consolidation can allow districts to modernize and maintain facilities more effectively.

If campuses are closed, the future use of the empty buildings will be carefully evaluated to align with the district's strategic goals and community needs. Several options may be considered, including:

• Repurposing for district needs
• Leasing or renting
• Partnership opportunities
• Selling the property
• Temporary usage

Any decision will prioritize fiscal responsibility, community benefit, and alignment with the district’s mission and vision.

It will considerably improve the district’s financial situation while also streamlining efficiencies. We must continue reassessing CFB’s footprint to maintain full-program campuses and align expenses with revenue from student enrollment. State-level decisions may still impact revenue projections.

October-December - Facility Planning Advisory Group meetings
December-January - Comprehensive report development
February - Board presentation of comprehensive proposal
February - Listening tours
March - Board vote
March-April - Student registration/enrollment