The new White Sands School’s Facility Planning Committee convened again on Sept. 3, 2026, for the second in a series of three meetings. Colleen Martinez, President of Visions in Planning, continued to facilitate the discussion. Building on the insights from the first session, this meeting focused on refining priorities, vision statements and diving deep into the project goals.
During the meeting, the committee participated in a series of interactive, hands-on planning activities designed to give everyone a voice in shaping the new school. One highlight was a SWOT Analysis—a structured exercise in which groups identified the school’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This collaborative project not only fostered creative problem-solving but also encouraged robust discussion as members brought forward a wide range of perspectives.
Committee members reflected on which aspects of the current school community to preserve and shared ideas for meaningful improvements. Opportunities identified included expanding and covering the teacher and guest parking lot, addressing safety concerns about the athletic field being across the street from the main building, and making pick-up and drop-off areas more convenient for families. The activity emphasized the committee’s commitment to designing a school that meets the evolving needs of students, staff, and the wider community.
“We have to remind ourselves that this campus must serve our learners at dramatically different developmental stages, from four-year-olds to potentially 14-year-olds,” said Alexandria Barron, an employee at Visions in Planning. “Then you should be mindful of military-connected students who have high transfer rates within every three years.”
The project’s goals include:
1\. Safety & Security
2\. Educational Environment
3\. Facility Design
4\. Maintainability
5\. User Groups
6\. Community
7\. Technology
8\. Sustainability & Comfort
The next planning meeting is scheduled for Sept. 23 at White Sands School.