Wooster School District residents weigh in on master building plan

On Mar 24, 2022

Wooster City Schools master facilities plan would move the district from six buildings four. It would put a new sixth- through eighth-grade middle school on the Wooster High School campus; replace Cornerstone Elementary, except for the gymnasium and preschool, with a new pre-kindergarten through second-grade building; and locate a third- through fifth-grade building possibly at Parkview Elementary or another location yet to be determined.

WOOSTER – The future of Cornerstone Elementary School, the status of neighborhood schools, and the potential burden to taxpayers from a master facilities plan being developed for Wooster City Schools were all on the table Thursday morning at the Wayne County Public Library.

Superintendent Gabe Tudor met with about a dozen district residents who were vocal with their concerns related to the long-range facilities plan that will be considered by the Board of Education at its April meeting.

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Thursday’s meeting was the first of four community sessions being held to solicit public feedback on the plan.

“(The plan) is not completed yet, but it’s very close,” Tudor said.

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Moving from a six-building district to four buildings would put a new sixth- through eighth-grade middle school on the Wooster High School campus; replace Cornerstone Elementary, except for the gymnasium and preschool, with a new pre-kindergarten through second-grade building; and locate a third- through fifth-grade building possibly at Parkview Elementary or another location yet to be determined.

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Sandra Hull, former executive director of Main Street Wooster, said Cornerstone Elementary, formerly the high school, is “an icon in this community,” reflecting “the tradition of decades of people who have gone there.”

“It is a landmark,” Hull said, asking Tudor about seeking possible grants to restore old buildings.

Tudor explained the district’s construction partner, the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, uses a formula to determine whether a building is eligible to be renovated using OFCC funds. No building in the district, except for Wooster High School, qualifies for renovation under OFCC funding guidelines.

Cornerstone Elementary needs significant repairs, said Tudor, noting the preschool portion of the building was renovated in recent years by the district, and the investment already made needs to be preserved.

The Cornerstone building “will be sorely missed,” said Melissa Hughes, who also told Tudor making everything look good on the outside of a building doesn’t necessarily impact what happens on the inside.

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Ted Hill expressed his concern about losing Cornerstone as a structure, particularly its tower, “a unique piece of architecture” not able to be replicated.

Hill asked what justifies removing the school and rebuilding it on the same site.

At some point, Tudor said, “We may have to agree to disagree,” and he also affirmed addressing Cornerstone feasibility studies and grant options.

Cost of new schools concerns some

Bobbie Singleton, former director of curriculum and instruction for Tri- County Educational Service Center, questioned anticipated residential and commercial growth and the cost of the plan.

Birth rates are falling, she said, and the community can’t fill already existing job openings. And property taxes have risen.

“You’re going to put a tremendous burden on the community by asking for three new buildings,” she said, when possibly two would suffice.

The district would begin by constructing two new buildings on its own, Tudor said, and would wait to construct the third building — a third- through fifth-grade school — until the district’s eligibility number comes up with the OFCC. The OFCC would ultimately pay $33 million of the estimated $102 million cost of constructing three buildings.

The master planning committee has been meeting regularly with up to 35 members who offer “a pretty good representation of Wooster,” Tudor said.

The committee has taken into consideration projected population growth, aging buildings, grade level configuration and 21st century learning models.

Compared to the standard classrooms the district now uses, new buildings have shared spaces, Tudor said. “There is a lot more flexibility needed than we have right now.”

Losing neighborhood schools in Wooster

Moving away from neighborhood schools is a big change for the community, Tudor acknowledged, but advantageous not only in promoting professional development and collaboration among grade-level teachers, but in creating an equal experience for all students, no matter their socioeconomic level.

“We’re really passionate about (that),” he said.

Kean Elementary and Cornerstone Elementary are completely different buildings, Tudor pointed out.

About 30% of Kean students are eligible for free and reduced lunches; that number increases to about 75% at Cornerstone.

The proposed grade-level configuration encompasses housing grades nine through 12 at the high school.

Barb Friedhoff said she applauds moving the eighth grade back to the middle school. She also commented on factoring in transportation issues to allow parents to stay engaged with schools and keeping students with special needs within the district as much as possible.