“ How do we Implement the Master Plan?”
Section Seven
I m p l e m e n t a t i o n
Livingston Union School District | Facilities Master Plan
“ How do we Implement the Master Plan?”
Funding and Prioritization
A plan not implemented, is not really a plan at all. It is an idea that has the unrealized potential to grow into a physical manifestation. A true plan must be tested through implementation.
For implementation to occur, the goals and priorities must influence in the projects to be implemented, and time-line for implementation.
Funding will play a large role, since funding is the most limiting resource. Implementation stops when the funding stops. To maximize the funding of any project, the size of the project must be carefully considered. Small projects tend to consume a larger amounts of funds in order for staff to manage a construction team. Determining the right size of the project will require consideration of the regional construction industry availability, and the timing of the project. For example, bidding a project in January will tend to provide better bid results than if the same project was bid in late May, June or July.
Goals and priorities were gathered from the District Board, Superintendent, Principals, Staff and the Community. It is these goals and priorities that inform the order and implementation of the projects.
Growth: From Simple to Complex
Since Livingston USD has not completed any recent construction projects, we suggest that some less complex projects be executed first, before more complex projects. This will afford District staff the opportunity to grow into the expectations required of them during the implementation of the projects.
Less complex projects might include some of the following:
• Parking lot improvements
• Painting
• HVAC Replacement
• Fencing and gates
• Shade structures
• Play Courts and Play Equipment upgrades
• Tracks
• Roofing
Most of the projects listed above are Site Development projects, while the Building Projects are limited to the exterior envelope of the building.
More complex and time consuming projects might include some of the following project types:
• New Building( s) on the edges of a campus, which limit the noise and interaction with the campus staff and students.
Very complex and time consuming projects include the following project types:
• Building remodels, which require the occupants to be relocated until the project is complete.
• Building additions, that required fencing around the edges of the work area and limit the use of the site and noise transmission into the existing and occupied building.
• New Building( s) on the interior of the campus.
As in any future activities, many variables are either unknown or beyond the control of the District. These variables include but are not limited to the following:
• Change in assumptions regarding the use bonds and capital facility funds.
• Unanticipated expenditures for emergency repairs.
• Changes in the economic factors, inflationary rates, cost of construction.
• Unanticipated or unforeseen conditions.
• Availability of funds beyond local bond funding.
Although there are many variables, the core goals and priorities of the Master Plan should always be considered when making any adjustments to the plan.
As mentioned previously, cash flow is a key factor in creating the implementation plan because funding availability is the major driving force as to when projects can be completed. The District has access to existing bond funds and they are available now. The bonds funds are fixed, while the economic factors, inflationary rates, and cost of construction factors are on the rise. To make optimal use of the fixed amount of bond funds, these funds should be spent over the next one to two years.
It is also anticipated that a future bond measure might be sought after, and if passed, a new set of bond funds would allow for a new set of projects to be advanced. Those future projects will need to be managed in connection with the available Bond Authority. Bond Authority, does not equate to cash on hand. Instead bonds are sold in“ issuances” over time. The timing of these issuances are normally on a two-year cycle but can be adjusted depending on economic factors and current debt obligations.
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