As rural school districts across the state face declining enrollment, aging infrastructure, and increasing operational costs, many are grappling with tough questions: What buildings should we invest in? What facilities can we afford to maintain long-term? Should we consider consolidation?

In this session, CESA 10 Facilities Management will demonstrate how comprehensive facility audits are not only a cornerstone of successful referendum planning, but also an essential tool for guiding long-range facility and consolidation decisions. These audits provide an objective, district-wide snapshot of building conditions, educational adequacy, capacity, and operational costs - helping leaders weigh the trade-offs of investing, closing, or reconfiguring facilities.

Whether your district is preparing for a referendum, considering building closure, or just trying to strategically plan for the next decade, this session will offer practical and actionable insights for rural leaders.

This session is designed for rural district leaders – including superintendents, school board members, facilities directors, and business managers – who are navigating declining enrollment, aging buildings, and long-term planning challenges.