In less than one year, Austin ISD plans to complete a master plan for how the school district funds its facilities, and AISD's board of trustees is working to develop guiding principles that will shape the way that plan is formed and implemented.

The language of those guiding principles was the subject of the group's Sept. 16 work session. Specifically, the board focused on two topics—how to define equity when comparing facilities, and what policies and practices will allow for the best way to use AISD facilities.

Once it is complete, the Facility Master Plan will be a continually updated document that charts the current and future uses of AISD facilities. It will also guide capital improvements and help plan for future bond elections, according to board documents.

At the Sept. 16 meeting, Board president Vincent Torres was among the board members who wanted to change some wording in the principle about facility equity and advised against using the phrase "equitable facilities" that was in the draft FMP principles.

"[The term] almost presumes that there is some theoretical equitable level to which we want to raise all of our facilities," trustee Jayme Mathias agreed.

Trustee Robert Schneider said such a level exists, pointing to educational specifications—the standards staff develops for program areas and other facility considerations.

Trustees continued to revise the draft principle, which states that the district will work to provide all schools and other sites with facilities based on current education specifications, public input and board-approved programs.

The board also discussed strategies to address overenrolled and underenrolled schools as part of its draft optimal utilization principle.

Part of the plan would be to be able to accommodate 75–125 percent of projected enrollment for the 2016–2017 school year. Trustee Robert Schneider said he thought the target range was too broad, and Superintendent Meria Carstarphen suggested the board change it to 75–115 percent to be in line with the FMP framework.

Trustees Lori Moya, Ann Teich and Amber Elenz said the board should omit some of the points addressed in its optimal utilization principle and revisit them later hearing from the public.

"I have great faith in our community they will come up with really great solutions if we allow them to," Elenz said.

The board will continue working on its FMP principles, which also are focused on health, safety and security; academics; protection of taxpayers' financial investment in AISD facilities; environmental stewardship and sustainability; and communication and community engagement.