CUSD serves more than 12,000 K-12 students in Butte County, California and has tackled several major changes to their school facilities.
CLIENT SUCCESS: CHICO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
The staff at Chico Unified School District (CUSD) understand that complex facilities projects require a lot of forethought but bring worthwhile outcomes for students and staff. As their longtime partner, King Consulting has advanced CUSD’s projects with a holistic approach, including data analysis, policy knowledge, and organizational expertise. Their current collaboration includes repurposing an old cafeteria and building a new cafeteria with culinary arts and medical career technical facilities.
CUSD first connected with King in the early 2000s to help assist with challenges related to demographic projections and facilities planning. Previously, overcrowding at local high schools prompted the District’s facilities planners to seek funding through a multi-million-dollar bond set aside for the purpose of construction of a new high school. However, as the District moved forward with their planning, enrollments unexpectedly declined sharply and the District had to quickly change their strategy.
King’s relationships with the agencies has really helped us not fall into pitfalls with communication issues. They kind of act as a liaison. They know the right things to say, the wrong things not to say.
Julia Kistle – Director of Facilities and Construction
District officials quickly realized that doing their own demographic projections and funding procurement was a sub-optimal solution. They needed consultants who could help them create and align accurate data with multiple, complex projects and funding sources. Chico’s Director of Facilities and Construction turned to King, whose reputation as responsive, community-minded, data-led consultants preceded them. Thanks to King’s accurate enrollment forecasting, CUSD’s planning struggles were resolved and District staff were able to turn their attention to other projects, like the present major Modernization project at Pleasant Valley High School.
The challenge
District officials quickly realized that doing their own demographic projections and funding procurement was a sub-optimal solution. They needed consultants who could help them create and align accurate data with multiple, complex projects and funding sources. Chico’s Director of Facilities and Construction turned to King, whose reputation as responsive, community-minded, data-led consultants preceded them. Thanks to King’s accurate enrollment forecasting, CUSD’s planning struggles were resolved and District staff were able to turn their attention to other projects, like the present major Modernization project at Pleasant Valley High School.
The King approach
King is helping Chico Unified School District tackle this particular challenge by wading through red tape, understanding policies, and meeting deadlines – all essential components of efficient application management, especially when seeking funding from the state.
So many funding applications at different stages – all for just one project at one high school – requires a high level of planning expertise. King meticulously monitors projects, funding sources, and deadlines, keeping Chico on track to meet application requirements. King even created a project management tracking tool to communicate upcoming requirements to school facilities staff.
Results
According to the District, King has made the funding application process much easier for staff and helped them capitalize on available funding sources. These excellent organization and communication skills have paid off and the school can now proceed on new projects with greater confidence.
King’s assistance with funding new facilities has directly helped students graduate high school with marketable skills
Most importantly, King’s assistance with funding new facilities – such as Pleasant Valley High School’s numerous CTE facilities – has directly helped students graduate high school with marketable skills, like restaurant management and sports medicine, under their belts. By expediting the funding and planning process, King has helped Chico give their students a solid path to success.
