Upper Arlington Schools Begins Master Planning for Middle Schools and Child Care Center

Upper Arlington City Schools first began developing a master plan nearly a decade ago to figure out what to do with the district’s aging buildings.

The district is focusing on the district’s high school and five elementary schools and plans to re-evaluate two high schools and an early childhood education center in 10 to 15 years.

That period has since expired, and now it’s time for the district to decide what to do with the other buildings.

At a series of early public meetings, borough officials and local architects stressed that nothing had been decided yet. However, there is no “free” option; some buildings may need to be replaced, as happened with the high school, or significant investments will need to be made in aging buildings.

Jones High School is 100 years old. Hastings High School was built in 1961, and the Burbank Preschool building was built in 1971.

Neither school has had any major additions in decades, said Aimee Eckmann, an architect with Perkins & Will.

What does the chronology look like?

The planning process will continue next year with external architects conducting a detailed assessment of the existing physical and educational infrastructure. They also conduct focus groups with students.

Findings from the assessments will be discussed at public meetings in December, with draft plans scheduled to be presented in February. Revised options, including cost estimates, will be presented in May; then the final presentation of the master plan could be scheduled for September.

A final recommendation will then be presented to the school board in the second half of 2025.

What do we know for sure about the process?

The results for the three buildings in question have not yet been determined, but Superintendent Robert Hunt mentioned several parameters of the process.

Hunt said public engagement is important to this process, as is maintaining transparency.

The district plans to maintain the current two-high school model without redistricting.

Hunt said special consideration will be given to the durability of any renovations or new construction to ensure the facilities can last for decades.

Another set parameter is that schools must have “easily accessible gender-neutral toilets.”

How can people get involved in the master plan development process?

Andy Geistfeld, the district’s chief financial officer, said public feedback and participation is critical.

“The more people involved in constructing buildings, the better the process—which was so great last time,” Geistfeld said.

The public can join construction crews on three district buildings that are under consideration. Each team will meet three times this winter and spring.

Registration information is available on the district’s website, uaschools.org.

[email protected]

This article originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch: Upper Arlington Schools plans for future of aging high schools.