WCS district updates Master Plan

Ben Stavnezer

feature editor

The WCS Facilities Master Plan will transition buildings to an approach more in line with the grade levels of their students. This is according to the members of the planning committee and district staff, to ensure equity is upheld in each student’s learning environment and consistent instruction.

Phase 1 of the plan will include constructing a new grades six to eight middle school, as well as a football and soccer field and a track for the middle school on the high school campus and a new PreKindergarten through second grade elementary school at Cornerstone’s location.

According to the architecture firm GDP Group’s study, Cornerstone’s educational adequacy has been determined to be lacking when compared to the adequacy that could be provided in a newly constructed building as well as no secure entrance in the building for safe clearance of visitors before entering the building.

Elaborating on Cornerstone’s reconstruction, WCS Superintendent Gabe Tudor says that “We are keeping the preschool, gymnasium, and portions of the front facade if feasible.”

Phase 2 of the Master Plan will include constructing a new grades three to five elementary school and renovating the existing high school.

Tudor says the timeline should begin with the new middle school. “If the levy passes, the middle school would likely open in the fall of 2026. Unless we are able to build both schools at the same time, Cornerstone will be constructed after the middle school and would open in the fall of 2028.”

WCSD intends to place a 6.7 mil bond issue on the May 2023 ballot to fund the construction of new facilities and renovation of existing facilities as outlined in the master plan. This plan aims to benefit Wooster’s students with the district’s highquality instruction and services, estimating that over the next five years there will be a potential increase of 800 additional students in the district.