During its June 19, 2023, meeting, the School District of Reedsburg’s Board of Education took action to approve the Long-Term Facilities Plan (LTFP). The LTFP recommends a grade level configuration of 4K-1, 2-4, 5-8, and 9-12. There is no immediate facilities project that was approved as a part of the LTFP. This plan was developed over the course of the last 10 months, and it is directly connected to the District’s strategic plan.
The LTFP is a 30-year plan that the board and administration worked collaboratively with and was informed by detailed analyses provided by outside consultants on deferred capital maintenance needs, projected future enrollments, and building capacities.
The LTFP has no immediate facilities project(s). “The product of this work will not be a single project but a long-term plan that outlines a number of potential projects over time,” states Superintendent Roger Rindo, Ed.D. “The plan will encompass what the district can do for ALL students to impact their overall learning experience, growth, and achievement in flexible and adaptable spaces.”
During the exploration process, the School Board identified and evaluated 8 different possible scenarios with regard to the number of future buildings, their grade level alignments, and their maximum student capacities.
Staff and community feedback was solicited on 5 possible scenarios as an intentional component of the planning process. The Board remains committed to that engagement as our facilities work moves forward.
The LTFP establishes a broad future direction for the district's facilities. There will be no immediate changes in grade-level configuration. In the months to come, the School Board will consider how to phase implementation of the LTFP.
One of the most critical findings during the process is that Webb Middle School requires a very large investment in basic capital maintenance needs today. It is also important to point out that the Reedsburg Area High School has facilities needs, including the development of more flexible learning spaces and renovations to support increases in rigorous academic programs and career pathways for all students.
Included as a part of the LTFP, a grades 5-8 middle school will, when opened, relieve any future capacity issues at the 4K-5 grade levels at least until 2036 or later
The District will not be able to immediately transition to four buildings even if a new 5-8 middle school opens. Making that eventual transition will require an addition to (or replacement of) Pineview Elementary at some point in the future.
Beginning in August, the Board will focus on further program and scope development, cost estimating, and financial analysis as we begin to evaluate and define a preliminary Phase One plan that will be shared with stakeholders for feedback.
Rindo adds, “We will keep in mind our vision to provide a world-class educational experience to all students as we move through the process of long-term facilities planning.