The updated Elk Grove Unified School District (EGUSD) Educational Specification developed and approved in 2019 was first implemented on the Miwok Village Elementary School (MVES) project that opened in July 2022. Lionakis developed a Post Occupancy Evaluation for MVES to obtain valuable feedback related to the newly adopted EGUSD Educational Specification. Principal Jodi Boyles distributed the Survey Monkey questionnaire to teachers, administrators, and community members. There were over 86 responses with 27 faculty and 57 community members participating.*
On March 17, 2023, Lionakis met with members of the EGUSD Team to review the survey results, discuss some of the successful and needed improvement outcomes, In addition, the team physically walked the campus with the facilities, maintenance and technology groups to witness firsthand the discussion items. The following booklet summarizes the issues discussed amongst the team for possible improvements on the next proposed project using the 2019 Educational Specifications.
Susan Bell, EGUSD
Michael Bean, EGUSD
Jodi Boyle, EGUSD
Jennifer Calton, EGUSD
William Hartin, EGUSD
* It was noted the survey was not forwarded to District staff; i.e. facilities, maintenance, technology, etc. It would be beneficial to seek additional input from all associated groups to obtain even further information.
SITE
Areas of Success:
Large open feel of the campus
Oak Grove area is great for connections to nature
Outdoor eating area is well lit and adequately size
Building size is appropriate for the site and surrounding neighborhood
Use of natural stone for seating areas
Use of wood tones works well on the campus
Areas for Improvement:
Issues with Student Drop-off, parking, and traffic
Playfield fenced off from the campus is restricing student access during school hours
Landscape maintenace equipment cannot access some campus areas
Provide more covered area at exterior doors
Recommendations:
Perhaps work with the City of Elk Grove to expedite the sidewalk, curb and gutter for the future park to allow a safe path of travel to the campus from the north and west neighborhoods
Remove the fence between the fields and campus (old district standard.) This will give students a closer restroom to use during recess and allow for lawn maintenance site access
ADMINISTRATION
Areas of Success:
Large welcoming mural by Miwok Artist
Large open volume at public entry
Space feels warm and welcoming
Clear point of entry to the campus
Areas for Improvement:
Visitors can see into the building/staff even when working after hours
Built-in casework/personal locations
Additional staff members have been added since the original program was developed; as a result, extra desks have been added to the lobby space
Use more quad outlets, not duplexes
EGUSD would like direct access to staff for the workroom/break room (1 door); allow for off-hour entry without setting/turning off the alarm for the entire Administration Building
Recommendations:
Provide roller shades for all front windows, including doors
For future projects EGUSD would like to design a front reception counter only; use furniture solutions for staff workstations and storage
LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Areas of Success:
Breakout spaces between classrooms are a benefit
High visibility from interior breakout spaces and classrooms
Integrated Miwok subject material
Use of color in different classroom pods
Love the amount of natural daylighting
Areas for Improvement:
Not enough pinup space in the classroom – magnetic whiteboards preferred
Student desks are too traditional
Only one exterior entrance into the interior breakout space
Not enough large storage in the interior breakout space
Carpet tiles are coming up in areas
Recommendations:
Keep magnetic white boards and or add better tack panels like EZO board in the project despite minimal budget saving value captured
More storage in the interior breakout space
Have carpet manufacture visit site and recommend a soultion
Areas of Success:
Open bright and inviting
Flexible soft furniture
Connection to the learning labs
Adjacent to great outdoor space
Areas for Improvement:
Genius bar not used – the high counters are more for teens, not elementary aged students
Would have preferred overhead projector with speakers in the ceiling as opposed to projector on a cart
Locate book drop in the back of the circulation desk
Recommendations:
Move book drop to front end of circulation desk
Look into program standard of projectors on carts
Smaller scale reading area near the front window insead of Genius bar
MULTI-PURPOSE
Areas of Success:
Outdoor dining space is great
Love the survery graphics
Polished concrete floors are working well
Good accoustics considering concrete floor
Areas for Improvement:
Stage access is a challenge
Back curtain for the stage is not large enough
Would have liked a direct exterior entrance into the multi-purpose outside the campus fence line
P.E storage is inside the MP with no outside access
Recommendations:
Look into provideing steps up to the stage
Provide a larger, wall to wall, curtain for the back of the stage
Look into moving exterior security fencing to accomodate parking lot enterence into the Multi-purpose room
Look to provide storage at the end of the classroom building for P.E
KINDERGARTEN
Areas of Success:
Love the color palette in the spaces
Great connected outdoor space
Nice size of covered space outside the classrooms
Good classroom size
Areas for Improvement:
Outdoor restroom needs a child sized toilet
Outdoor backpack hooks are never used
Not enough pinup space in the classroom – magnetic whiteboards preferred
Not enough cubbies/odd size
Would have liked more grass area
Do not need desks in storage rooms
Pre-K play area is not used
Recommendations:
Keep magnetic white boards and/or add better tack panels like EZO board in the project despite minimal budget saving value captured
Remove outdoor backpack hooks
Replace outdoor adult sized toilet
SPECIALTY SPACES
Areas of Success:
Great outdoor/indoor connections
Able to maintain high student visibility
Outdoor amphitheater is the perfect size for the whole student body
Outdoor sinks are a plus
Well intergreated into the campus
Areas for Improvement:
Add storage to the outdoor sink area
Makerspace was too small and the operable wall is never used
Furniture in the makerspace not mobile, adjustable, or has any built-in storage
Recommendations:
Add furniture storage to the outdoor sink area
Look into different furniture options to replace current makerspace furniture
Square foot allocations for future maker spaces
Re-evalutate operable wall for future projects
Amount of Physical Space for Students
Amount of Natural Daylight
Overall satisfaction with new school design Connection with outdoors on campus
Principal Jodi Boyles distributed the Survey Monkey questionnaire to teachers, administrators, and community members. There were over 86 responses with 27 faculty and 57 community members participating.
The data from this survey tells a powerful story of an overall positive response to the new campus. Almost all questions received an 80% satisfaction rate, including campus safety, design, and learning environments. Some of the positive comments included: “wonderful” “beautiful,” “love the connection to the land and native peoples,” and “great environment for kids to learn.” However, one question did receive an overwhelmingly negative response. Over 70% of pollers found the amount of parking available unsatisfactory (with 53% stating it very unsatisfactory.) Numerous comments associated with this question included the student drop-off as “unsafe,” “not enough,” “unacceptable,” and “unhappy neighbors.”
Overall the majority of opinions are positive, supportive, and satisified, with a few specific negative points of view. We would suggest publishing another survey, with a broader audience, now that the campus has been open for year to compare results but also get a clearer picture overall opinions.
Campus Safety
Campus Parking
Lessons learned from EGUSD Educational Specification:
No covered walkways throughout campus
Some acoustical concerns on restroom / classroom common walls
Wanted a garden space
Some teachers like to slider doors between classrooms - wished for more
