As shared with families this fall, construction planning for new facilities was paused due to declining enrollment. This included new construction for Big Picture School and Jing Mei Elementary, as part of the 2020 bond project. Although the plan to pause new construction remains, the district is now working on plans to move both Big Picture and Jing Mei to newer, existing buildings. The new facilities will be modified as needed to meet the needs and vision for each school.
Share Your Feedback
The Big Picture and Jing Mei communities are invited to participate in the decision-making process by attending community engagement opportunities. These opportunities will enable participants to hear more about the options under consideration for the newer facilities and share their thoughts and ideas.
Big Picture Community Engagement Event
The format for the community engagement event will be a very brief presentation of the options, recommendation, and rationale followed by questions from the community and an opportunity for families to talk with each other about the options.
- Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023
- Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Big Picture School Café
- Note: Big Picture students and staff will have a similar engagement opportunity on April 19, 2023.
Jing Mei Community Engagement Event
The format for the community engagement event will be a very brief presentation of the options, recommendation, and rationale followed by questions from the community and an opportunity for families to talk with each other about the options.
- Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023
- Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Location: Jing Mei School Café
- Note: Jing Mei staff will have a similar engagement opportunity on April 19, 2023.
Online Survey
Feedback from the survey will be reviewed by a joint committee with members from Big Picture and Jing Mei. The committee will provide feedback and considerations to the Superintendent who will make the final decision.
From April 4 to 24, all stakeholders also have the opportunity to share their feedback via an online survey (or paper, if preferred).
Relocation SurveyAdditional Engagement Opportunity: Facility Committee
A committee will be formed to review feedback from stakeholders, provide input to the Superintendent regarding the facility options for both schools, and offer suggestions for how to best support students, staff and families throughout the moving process. Families who are interested in serving on the committee may express their interest through an online form.
Facility Committee InterestTimeline
- Wednesday, April 19: Engagement opportunity for Big Picture and Jing Mei staff, as well as Big Picture students
- Thursday, April 20: Community engagement events for families
- April 4-24: Online Relocation Survey
- April 21: Deadline to submit Facility Committee Interest Form
- Week of April 24: Stakeholder committee to review feedback and provide input to the Superintendent
- After April 27: Superintendent decision
Additional Details
What are the building options?
There are two facilities (Eastgate and Wilburton) that will be available for consideration. One option is to move Jing Mei to Wilburton and Big Picture to Eastgate. The other option is to move Jing Mei to Eastgate and Big Picture to Wilburton. The district will make a recommendation about which option they are tentatively proposing, including the pros and cons for both options. Students, staff and families have an opportunity to weigh in on the tentative proposal and both options to share perspectives that may not have been considered.
Is this decision already finalized?
No, a final decision has not been made. Feedback will be collected from both Big Picture School and Jing Mei Elementary. A committee consisting of stakeholders from each school will then review the feedback and provide considerations to the Superintendent. The Superintendent will make the final decision.
What about the schools being consolidated?
While both schools may be excited to start planning the move to newer facilities, we understand that the consolidation of schools that resulted in vacant buildings was extremely difficult for students, staff and families at those schools. It is important that students, staff and families continue to model empathy and thoughtful consideration for the Eastgate and Wilburton school communities. District staff will be working closely with the administrators of those schools and will follow their lead on when and how to best engage with their staff as part of the transition process.