As a mechanism for master planning the funds provided by NY State for the reconstruction of Buffalo’s public schools, strategic updates were performed for each phase of construction. These updates critically reviewed each school’s building, program, staffing, student demographics and site to determine their level of need, their best use for the district, and how they fit into the surrounding context of neighborhood as well as their internal site needs.

Phases 1-3 site assessments were only evaluated from an engineering perspective, not taking into account programmatic needs of the schools nor site needs beyond sidewalk and asphalt repair. As a part of the strategic update team for phases 4 and 5 we have been able to make a real impact on how the district viewed the sites their buildings occupied.

We were able to critically evaluate the basic service needs of the school such as bussing access, “Safe Walks to School” issues, storm water management, and lighting. In addition we were able to make recommendations for site improvements at each school to directly reflect each school’s need. This had not been done before as part of the Update planning.

We made recommendations for schools to receive three basic levels of improvements. The first level looked to create safe walks, ADA accessible entries, pavement and curb replacement, crosswalk connections to the surrounding neighborhoods, and bike rack access.

The second level addressed designated play structures; if the school had one or not, if it was in need of repair or replacement, and how should it be located as part of the overall site development.

The third level analyzed the site as a potential site for an extensive learning environment. Would the site accommodate the space needed for an outdoor classroom, but more importantly whether the individual programs, principals and lead staff would be interested in this type of learning space?

As a result of our efforts, the Buffalo Public School District has now adopted the policy that every school undergoing renovation shall have a playground. It also accepted four intensive learning environments to be designed and built as part of Phase 4 projects.