We evaluated nearly 900,000 square feet of school property to create a roadmap for Germantown School District’s future. Our data-driven approach gave leaders confidence to pursue the right projects for the right reasons.
The challenge
Most of Germantown School District’s facilities were built 60+ years ago—long before STEM labs, SMART boards, or even ADA-compliant doors were the norm. District leaders needed to thoroughly assess their building conditions to identify improvement priorities and make informed decisions about the future.
The solution
We teamed with Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) to assess three elements of Germantown’s facilities: building conditions and system functionality, capacity and utilization, and educational adequacy. The district has one administrative building and six instructional buildings—some dating back to 1928.
With board approval, the process started in November 2024. Our assessment teams walked every classroom and corridor, looked above every ceiling tile, and interviewed staff. During site visits, We used Matterport technology to capture high-resolution images and depth data, creating a digital replica of each property These virtual models allow users to remotely explore spaces, conduct virtual walkthroughs and take precise measurements, including wall-to-wall distances, ceiling heights, and square footage.
More than 170 issues were identified in just one school, ranging from HVAC updates to basic accessibility upgrades like replacing knob-style door handles with ADA-compliant levers.
PRA evaluated how well each space supports instructional goals, accounting for classroom sizes, enrollment trends, and modern teaching practices. PRA’s assessment also identified opportunities to expand collaborative learning spaces, improve staff support areas, and address accessibility gaps.
The findings were compiled into a three-volume report and presented to the Germantown school board in March 2025. The data-rich report included:
- A room-by-room record of facility improvements, prioritized and costed out
- A district-wide summary of improvement projects, organized by immediate, medium-, and long-term needs
- Visual documentation of every issue, linked to floorplans and Procore for easy reference
- Capacity vs. enrollment analyses for each school to ensure the district can support current and projected enrollment
- Site safety recommendations, such as remediating trip hazards and improving ADA access to playgrounds and outdoor spaces
- Opportunities to create visionary spaces to meet the district’s learning goals and future needs
We prioritized the maintenance list from the client’s point of view, focusing on what matters most to families and staff: keeping buildings safe, warm, and dry. Every recommendation was backed by service-life data, cost estimates (based on 2026 market conditions), and practical considerations such as warranty windows and industry-standard failure rates.
“Our experience with JP Cullen and the team has been exceptional. Their constant communication and tailored work to the local needs are their staple. Katie and Shannon made our current situation of long-term need feel and look tailored to the community’s values and expectations.” Chris Reuter, Superintendent.
The results
Now, Germantown School District has a detailed, data-backed roadmap to guide facility investments over the next decade. The report doesn’t just document issues—it helps the district prioritize needs, understand costs, and communicate transparently with the community.
What sets us apart
Because we have deep construction experience, the district didn’t get just a surface-level checklist. It gained insights from people who understand how buildings perform, how systems age, and what it takes to execute improvements efficiently. And because we can self-perform much of the work, the district had confidence that cost estimates were realistic, conservative, and rooted in real-world experience.
Just as importantly, we delivered what they promised, when they promised—even working nights, weekends, and through the holidays to meet the district’s timeline. We made the process as easy and stress-free as possible for Germantown staff, so they could keep their focus on teaching kids.
