Committee of community members holds first meeting, tours elementary school, and elects leadership

information released

The Manson School District has convened a Community Facilities Task Force (CFTF) to develop a long-range capital programming plan that will guide facility investments across the District for the next 25 years. The committee, made up of approximately 20 community members representing a broad cross-section of Manson, held its first meeting on April 15, 2026.

The Task Force is charged with delivering a final report and recommendation to the District on or before February 22, 2027. That recommendation will consist of a long-range capital programming plan grounded in the District’s grant-funded 2026 Study and Survey facility analysis, informed by extensive staff and stakeholder input, and aligned with community priorities. The plan will identify and prioritize the District’s most urgent capital needs, address current and projected student enrollment and program requirements, and work to ensure that teaching and learning environments support academic excellence.

At the kickoff meeting, committee members began their work with a guided tour of Manson Elementary School. The tour gave members a firsthand look at the building’s condition, its strengths, and areas where age is beginning to show. A consistent theme emerged in the discussion that followed: while the elementary building is aging, it has been exceptionally well maintained.

Members were also impressed by the significant number of state and energy grants the District has secured over the past decade. Those grants have funded a range of facility improvements at the elementary school, including:

  • Replacement of specific outdated HVAC units
  • Installation of energy-efficient lighting
  • Installation of video surveillance systems
  • Improvements to parking and bus pick-up and drop-off areas
  • Resolution of long-standing site drainage issues

Following the tour and introductions, the committee reviewed its formal charge, discussed draft operating norms, and participated in a “Know, Wonder, Hope” activity designed to surface what members already understand about District facilities, what they want to learn, and what a successful long-range plan should look like.

The committee also elected its leadership for the duration of the planning process. Robin Bloch was elected to serve as Chairperson, and Tony Zuluaga was elected Vice-Chair. Both will help guide the committee’s work over the coming months alongside the Superintendent and the District’s consultant, Wade Smith, from Consertus.

“We are grateful to the community members who have stepped forward to serve on this Task Force. Their experience, perspective, and commitment to our students will shape decisions that affect Manson schools for the next generation. This is community-led planning in the truest sense.”

— Tabatha Mires, Superintendent, Manson School District

Looking Ahead

The Task Force will meet monthly through the planning process. Next month’s meeting will include a tour of the District’s secondary campus, a discussion of staff and broader stakeholder outreach strategies, and a review of the District’s third-party facility condition report.

The District will share regular updates on the Task Force’s progress and opportunities for community input as the work continues.

About the Community Facilities Task Force

The Community Facilities Task Force is a volunteer committee of approximately 20 members. The committee has established a website where community and stakeholders can follow along their progress at: https://www.manson.org/page/facilities-planning