Beginning in 2015, the Madison Public Schools District has held seven public workshops on the school utilization study to solicit public input on the process.

Throughout the study, the Board of Education considered a six-school, a five-school, and a four-school model before settling on a five-school model due to the geographic challenges of having a centralized elementary school in town.

Over the course of the study, the board has worked with Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (DRA) and Colliers to conduct feasibility studies and other analysis of the school buildings. Since hiring Colliers, the board has undertaken a geotechnical study, an environmental review, a wetland review, civil/drainage/utilities analysis, a traffic review, hazardous materials testing review, and an updated enrollment study. All of Colliers services are covered under a previously designated LOCAP fund of about $75,000.

Superintendent of Schools Tom Scarice said the goal of moving slowly through the study was to allow residents a chance to voice their opinions and the board to respond accordingly.

“We have time and that is why we took two and a half years to get it right,” he said. “That allowed us to be responsive to the community and to change our trajectory based on peoples’ feedback and our consultants evaluations of the facilities.”