STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2014For more information, contact:Danielle Clark, PSD Communications (970) 490-3427

Recent rumors in the Wellington community that claim Poudre School District is currently staffing a committee to discuss construction of a new Wellington Middle School on property across the street from the existing school are false. Additionally, rumors regarding building a high school in the Wellington area are also false. At this time, there are no plans for construction of new schools or renovations outside of those approved through the 2010 Bond Plan.

However, PSD is actively planning for future facilities to handle changing community demographics. The district is currently in the process of collecting demographic data as part of its Facilities Master Plan. The first step in this process is to form a Long Range Planning Committee, which will study the data and form a draft Master Plan. This committee, which will meet in the next few months, is comprised of PSD staff as well as planning experts from the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County. The committee will recommend a draft plan and the PSD community will be asked to provide input and feedback on it.

Once the Facilities Master Plan is approved by the Board of Education (sometime in Spring 2015), the LRPC may form sub-committee(s) to review implications of the plan including boundary changes, the need for new facilities and/or additions to existing buildings and the potential for a new Bond election to pay for facility needs. Extensive community outreach and input will also be gathered regarding any sub-committee recommendations/proposals.

PSD’s facilities planning process is as follows:

Action TimelineA third-party demographer gathers data about the PSD community regarding anticipated growth, economic development, enrollment projections, etc…

Currently in process

Superintendent forms a Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) comprised of PSD staff and City/County planners that reviews implications of the demographic data

Summer 2014

PSD conducts community outreach to gather Fall 2014

POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT2407 LaPorte Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80521

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feedback regarding the proposed Draft Facilities Master Plan. All impacted communities will have the opportunity to provide feedback

The LRPC modifies the Draft Master Plan (if necessary) based on community feedback

Fall 2014/Winter 2015

The LRPC recommends a Master Plan to the Superintendent

Fall 2014/Winter 2015

The Board of Education reviews and approves the Facilities Master Plan

Spring 2015

LRPC creates sub committees (if necessary) to address implications of Facilities Master Plan

Fall 2015

Needs regarding schools in Wellington may arise and be addressed in the Facilities Master Plan. If applicable, these needs can be discussed during initial outreach efforts in Fall 2014. If it is determined that further action is necessary (i.e. boundary changes, new buildings, extensions to existing schools), community input and feedback will be gathered from the Wellington community.

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